Tony Forristal & Sonny Walsh Action

First up were our U-14's David Barry, Jack Counihan and Leon Clarke O'Shea who represented Cork at the Tony Forristal & Sonny Walsh intercounty tournaments in Waterford last weekend. Leon & Jack played for the "Cork 2" team and David played for the "Cork 4" team.

In the Tony Forristal - Cork 2 lost their Shield Semi-Final to Wexford.

In the Sonny Walsh - Cork won the tournament outright, beating Tipperary 1 in the final.

Well done to all 3 lads for representing our parish, our club and our county with such distinction - a great experience for you and your families - we are all very proud of your achievement.

Under 11 tournament

Next up last weekend was our U-11's who hosted an 8-team tournament in Watergrasshill & Glenville. It was certainly a festival of hurling, with 4 clubs playing in Watergrasshill (Bride Rovers, Valley Rovers, Carrigtwohill & Bishopstown) and 4 clubs playing in Glenville (Watergrasshill, Blackrock, Youghal & Sliabh Rua (Ballymartyle).

The tournament ran extremely well, and credit must go to the large number of helpers on the day: the refs, umpires, those who helped with parking cars, parents for supplying baking and serving it too, volunteers in An Cupán Tae and The Corner flag - with your help, the kids and visitors to our parish had a great day out.

The Watergrasshill hurlers reached the 2 finals on the day, winning the A final against Carrigtwohill and narrowly losing out to Valley Rovers in the B final after extra time.

It was great day of Hurling for everyone with all teams getting plenty game time and very high standard of hurling & sportsmanship on show.

So a big Thank You to both Watergrasshill & Glenville clubs for allowing us to host the tournament and thanks to Bride Rovers, Valley Rovers, Carrigtwohill, Bishopstown, Blackrock, Youghal & Sliabh Rua for travelling.

Well done too, to all our U-11 coaches for the great work both before and on the day to organise and run such a great tournament and most importantly to the 29 U-11 players on the day who represented the club with respect and the done the club proud. Well done to all involved and here's to 2023

Under 7’s take Center Stage

On Sunday afternoon, at half-time at the PIHC game, our U-7 boys played some small-sided games at half-time against Carrigaline. It was a super day, in front of a big crowd and one that the boys really enjoyed. We are so proud of these young hurlers and getting the chance to play in front of their families, friends and intermediate club mates was a fantastic thrill for them.

Well done to all the boys who were fantastic, thanks to their parents for preparing and bringing the boys along and credit to the U-7 coaches for organising a great day for the boys.

The narrowest of margins

Our final action report from last weekend is one of mixed emotions as our Intermediate hurlers faced Carrigaline in Blarney. We are so proud of what this group have achieved this campaign but have no doubt that the lads are disappointed that the campaign is over.

Sunday was a roller coaster of emotions, having started well it was blow for blow in the opening exchanges, however 4 points without reply had us ahead 0-2 to 0-6 after 12 minutes. Seán Desmond was flying having already registered 3 points from play, and when the Carrigaline full-back hauled him down on 17 minutes, Aidan Foley made no mistake to raise the first green flag of the day.

Carrigaline responded well though, and clawed the three points back without reply, but on 25 minutes Brendan Lehane pounced on a breaking ball to dispatch it first time into the net. At the break we were leading 0-7 to 2-7, we were looking good value for the lead & we dared to dream.

We started the slower after the break though and Carrigaline had reduced the gap to just one point within 4 2^nd half minutes registering 1-2 in that time. Paddy & Seán kept the scoreboard ticking over, but Carrigaline had hit a purple patch and the game was tied on 21 mins of the 2^nd half 2-9 to 1-12. It was all to play for down the stretch.

The tension amongst the supporters on the hill and on the field was palpable and indeed evident when some very marginal calls had to be made in the closing stages as exchanges in the Carrigaline square got heated as both sides looked for the win.

Points were exchanged in the closing 10 minutes with Paddy O’Regan equalising twice and when he gave us the lead with a point on 32 minutes, we couldn’t bear to look. But when Carrigaline sub Kevin Kavanagh levelled the game on 33 minutes the flip of emotions to joy for Carrigaline was heart-breaking. With the final result 2-12 to 1-15, a draw meant Carrigaline would progress to the quarter finals on points scored.  

Whilst the immediate reaction to yesterday’s game was one of disappointment, looking back we can only feel great pride for what this group has achieved. After the relegation play-off last year, we were many people’s favourites to go down, but these men had other ideas. Jason Foley, Pat Heffernan, Pat O’Leary and Donal Lehane brought this group together and they fought, trusted, and hurled as one team. From Paddy O’Regan to Brendan Lehane, experienced campaigner to rising talent, from Cork & Imokilly seniors to first time panel members, these 36 men did our parish, our club and themselves proud.

Having gone undefeated in the campaign and within 1 point from qualifying for the quarter-finals, everyone involved in the panel should take great pride from the spirit you showed this year. From the 7-year-olds on the pitch at half-time who were in awe of you, to John, Lizzie and everyone in between who watched you from the side-lines, we’ll be there again to support you next year. And with Imokilly still in the hunt, we’ll have a few more days out yet. Well done lads, keep the heads up.

Well Done U-12’s

Well done to our U-12 boys who were very unlucky to lose out to a late goal against Cobh on Monday evening in the semi-final of the League. It was a tough loss for the lads who have had a great season, going undefeated and topping their group in Phase 2 of the competition. Well done on a great campaign boys and no doubt you’ll bounce back – a great bunch really enjoyed their first year of Rebel Óg games showing teamwork, skill and enjoyment throughout the season.

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 1, 5, 12 & 29. Lucky dip winners are Dan & Phil O’Reilly, Luke Conway, Alan Long and Pat Moynihan. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €3,300 and draw will take place 5^th September in The Hut Bar. Tickets are on sale in some of the village businesses like The Hut Bar, The Fir Tree, Johnny's Shop and our new Lotto stand in Ross's Centra. Tickets can also be purchased on-line via our club website (www.watergrasshillgaa.ie). The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members and supporters of the Watergrasshill GAA Club Lotto. The Club Lotto is a vital source of income for the running of all our teams within the Club and for future development of our facilities, so we ask you to please support it if you are in a position to do so. Remember, if you’re not in you can’t win.

Recent Results  

Sunday 28th August

Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Carrigaline 1-15 V 2-12 Watergrasshill

Monday 29th August

Rebel Óg East Fé12 HL Cup Play-Off

Watergrasshill 1-7 V 3-4 Cobh 

Upcoming Fixtures 

Wednesday 31^st August

Rebel Óg East Fé15 D2 Championship Section 1

Watergrasshill V Lisgoold at 7:00pm in Watergrasshill

Sunday 3^rd September

Rebel Óg East D1 HL Shield Final

St. Colman’s V Watergrasshill at 4:00pm in Mayfield

Monday 5^th September

East Cork Oil Junior A HC

Erin’s Own V Watergrasshill at 6:45pm in Riverstown

Friday 16^th September

Rebel Óg East Fé17 D1 HC Shield Semi-Final

Watergrasshill V Blackrock at 6:30pm in Watergrasshill