East Cork Champions:

Congratulations to our Fé15 boys who overcame a tough Youghal team in the Rebel Óg, Fé15 D1 Championship Final in Dungourney on Monday evening. This was truly a game of two halves where the ‘Hill boys seemed slow out of the blocks in the first half but really turned in a great powerful second half display.

As the game got underway, it was clear both sides were quite nervous. We were unfortunate to be without captain Dara O’Neill and starting corner back Daniel O’Connor on the night, but a few positional changes and the introduction of Fergal Duffy at corner back made for a solid back-line who were dogged throughout. Youghal settled well and recorded the first two scores of the game from play, leading 0-2 to 0-0 on the five minute mark. However, Tadhg McCarthy and Jack Counihan soon found their range and by the 15^th minute we had a 0-2 to 0-4 lead. However, Youghal to their credit, turned the tide once again, adding 4 further points without reply, two from frees and two from play to lead 0-6 to 0-4 after 25 minutes. As the half drew to a close the sides exchanged scores before a late free from Jayden Hennebry left the minimum between the sides with Youghal leading 0-7 to 0-6 at the break. The half time oranges worked a treat for Watergrasshill as we came out a changed side for the second half. David Barry set the tone with a superb long range free, swiftly followed by 2 fantastic scores from Tadhg McCarthy and another from Eoghan Forde who was now beginning to win some fantastic ball at half forward. 0-7 to 0-10 after seven 2^nd half minutes. The sides again traded scores until the 15^th minute of the second half, with the hill piling on the pressure but Youghal to their credit, keeping in the game, just a puck of the ball between the sides, 0-10 to 0-13. But in the next 7 minutes, the game was turned on it’s head. Tadgh McCarthy had found his groove and was causing havoc in the Youghal defense – he add 2 super points in a row before Josh Madden rattled the net on 20 minutes with a superb solo goal 0-10 to 1-15. It was do or die now for Youghal, but Seán Callanan, Zach Curtin and Will Manley were repelling everything. Leon Clarke O’Shea pulled off some unbelievable saves in the closing minutes as Youghal threw the kitchen sink at him in an attempt to drag themselves back into the game. One save late on in the game was truly remarkable, with light fading a Youghal shot was rocketed towards the bottom right corner of the hill goal, but Leon dived full stretch to knock it around the post. Applauded by all those in attendance and celebrated by the defense like a goal scored, it encapsulated the heart and workrate from this young team. Whilst Youghal eventually got the goal they so desperately fought for, our boys responded yet again adding a second goal from Josh Madden to close the game out 1-11 to 2-18.

With every player from 1 to 24 giving everything throughout the year, there’s massive credit due to the entire panel and indeed the coaches for the work rate, belief and skill level of this side. With the sides level at half time, there was no panic, just reflection, belief and refocus on their own game which yielded rewards. We wish the lads all the best as they progress to the County, an adventure which we’re sure they’ll relish.

Panel: Leon Clarke O’Shea, Will Manley, Seán Callanan, Zach Curtin, Adam Casey, Dara O’Neill (Captain), Josh Madden, David Barry, Jack Counihan, Eoghan Forde, Jayden Hennebry, Tadhg McCarthy, Billy Graham, Donacha O’Leary, Dylan McCarthy, Fergal Duffy, Jake Loftus, Liam Sheehan, Scott O’Mahony, Gearoid Fitzgerald, James Buckley, Daniel O’Connor, Dylan Joyce.

Management Team: Shane McCarthy, Eamon Counihan, Kevin Barry, Paul Casey, John O’Connor, Noel McCarthy and Pat O’Leary.   

Junior’s keep up good form

Our Junior hurlers kept up their recent good form with a hard fought win over Lisgoold on Monday evening in Rathcormac. The lads came out on top 2-23 (29) to 4-15 (27) to make it two wins from two in their group. Having already beaten Castlelyons, the lads now face Youghal in their final group game on Sunday 3^rd September and we wish them the best of luck in that game.

Under 12’s in Action

Monday 28^th August, Rebel Óg North Fé12 League

Watergrasshill 1-9 V 1-9 Midleton.

In an entertaining game of hurling which ebbed and flowed from end to end throughout the 50 minutes, both teams dominating in different parts of the game. The hill started the better with Sam O’Leary scoring two points from frees and Ciarán Lee clipping over a nice point from play and with Ronan & Cormac dominating around the middle third and Danny getting on a lot of ball and unlucky not to get a few scores. But before half time we conceded a goal and few point which put Midleton ahead at the break. A slow start to the second half saw us fighting hard for possession and Midleton unable to take advantage on the scoreboard which kept us within a score of them and with our defense of Austin, James & Max keeping Midleton out and Ronan, Sean, Alex and Darragh in the game now and Cormac buried the goal and Sam scoring the equalizer for the draw. A fair result in the end for the boys who never gave up throughout.

Sunday 27^th August, Rebel Óg East Fé12 League

Ballincollig (2) 3-7 V 0-3 Watergrasshill (2)              

We travelled to Ballincollig to play in our second game in the league against a strong and well organized home team. But the score line didn’t reflect our performance as we created a lot of  scoring chances but we didn’t take them and Ballincollig got their scores anytime they attacked. Luke Ryan was solid in goals setting up attacks from his long puck outs and Max, Jamie & Ely were solid in defense. In the middle of the field it was a battle where Ciarán, Fionn and Andrew were working hard to win ball and supply the ball to our inside forwards of James, Diarmuid and Sean but we couldn’t get the goals past a good keeper and hitting a few wides too. So in the end we couldn’t claw back the score but the lads kept  battling to the end and showed great spirit and heart which is great to see. Well done to the boys on putting in great effort, keep the work and spirits up and we’re sure there are brighter days ahead.

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 3, 4, 8 & 23. Lucky dip winners are Shannon Fitzgerald, Pat O’Brien, Ciarán Gilsenan and Denis Barry. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €6,450 and draw will take place on 4^th September in The Hut Bar.

Tickets are on sale in some of the village businesses like The Hut Bar, Johnny's Shop and our 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

Monday 29^th August

Rebel Óg North, Fé 12 League

Watergrasshill 1-9 V 1-9 Midleton

Junior B Hurling Championship

Watergrasshill 2-23 (29) V 4-15 (27) Lisgoold

Rebel Óg East, Fé15 D1 Championship Final

Youghal 1-11 V 2-18 Watergrasshill

Sunday 27^th August

Rebel Óg East, Fé12 League

Ballincollig (2) 3-7 V 0-3 Watergrasshill (2)

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 2^nd September

Rebel Óg Premier Fé15 C3 League

Nemo Rangers (2) V Watergrasshill (2) at 1pm in Trabeg

Sunday 3^rd September

Co-Op Superstores PIHC

Castlemartyr V Watergrasshill at 2pm in Lisgoold

Sunday 3^rd September

Junior B Championship

Watergrasshill V Youghal at 6:30pm in Dungourney