GAA World Games

We are delighted to have Watergrasshill man Sean O’Leary taking part in the GAA World Games in July and August, representing his adopted country, Australia on the Australasia team that will come to Ireland later this month. Seán O'Leary might be one of the furthest geographically from our pitch, but he is still a huge supporter of the club and still follows the fortunes of the Hill with a keen interest. Sean and the O’Leary family are great members of our community and GAA club and this will be a special few weeks for them.

About the GAA World Games. This summer will see one of the largest Sporting & Cultural festivals coming to Waterford, when the third GAA World Games arrives this July and August. Kick-starting with an opening parade through Waterford City on the evening of July 28th, the event will include four days of competition across the four codes at the magnificent WIT Arena, from July 29th-August 1st. Over 85 teams will be competing to earn a place in their Division's Final in Croke Park on August 2nd, with the prestigious honour of a GAA World Games medal up for grabs. This family-friendly event is free of charge for the entire week, including the Finals, and all are welcome to attend any or all of the events for the duration of the Games, with an action-packed schedule from morning to evening. Every day is sure to be a feast of GAA action, featuring the very best talent from around the world. There are now over 400 GAA clubs outside of Ireland, in every region around the globe. Over 60% of the players at this year's event were not born in Ireland, showcasing the rapid growth of our games. The same levels of preparation go in, the same passion exists. Be a part of this unique event coming to the south east this summer.

Hill to Down Under – Sean O Leary (Australia)

I played for Watergrasshill since 1991 when the juvenile club was first started but had gone through the hurling nursery that was Watergrasshill national school under the tutelage of the great Eamon Ryan. I have played at all underage levels and played on the first Watergrasshill team in 1994 to represent in the Feile na Gael tournament having beaten Douglas at Pairc Ui Rinn in the Cork sectional final. The competition was set in Limerick and our hosts were the recent all Ireland club hurling champions Na Piarsaigh. Having had some great days with the Watergrasshill hurling club, the highlight would have to be the 2004 Intermediate County Final win in Pairc Ui Choimh. To share in that victory with everyone young and old in the parish was the most pleasing aspect and a day that will never be forgotten. It’s only now that days like that are truly cherished having played and lost a county final in 2007 when we were pipped at the post to win the Premier Intermediate County final. Three years later myself and my wife Maria left for Melbourne where it was again I picked up hurley and started with the Garryowen club in Melbourne while also playing some Australian rules in the local football leagues. There were two local neighbouring club players from Erins Own, Fergus Murphy and John Geary who introduced me with Garryowen and it’s been 9 years playing with them to this date. The standard is generally very good and would definitely be at a similar grade to Intermediate level with the State championship being the highest level that can be played in Australia. This is similar to a divisional team set-up where all Australian States play each other over a week to play for the Australasian State Championship. I had the honour of captaining this victorious team in 2016 and again played on the 2018 squad that beat Western Australia. There are some additional honours when winning State Championships as there is an all Australasian all-star function after each event. I’ve had the honour representing on these and played an exhibition hurling game against Clarinbridge in 2011 in the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne before the International Rules game between Ireland and Australia. In 2015 I returned to play with the Watergrasshill hurling team in the first round of the premier intermediate hurling championship against Cloyne and had the pleasure of representing and playing in another great victory for the Hill.

Having a four year old son I’ve started into coaching the kids as part of the kids GAA Melbourne group which has been very enjoyable that we are able to teach and coach a new generation of underage here in Australia which would historically not have been achieved previously. This not only allows us to teach the game to the Irish diaspora but we have a number of Australian kids including kids from India, so it has been great to get other kids with different backgrounds. As this grows we hope that the multicultural aspect of kids GAA Melbourne will get bigger.

With this year being the year of the GAA World Games and only the third time it has been held, I have been selected as part of a team to represent Australasia in July. The competition is held in Waterford Institute of Technology from July 28th until 01 August with finals being held in Croke Park on 02 August 2019. It’s certainly a huge opportunity to go and play in this great competition that allows similar players who have emigrated and kept the game going. The passion of the player I have played with in Australia is no different to the Watergrasshill club and it would very special to have the chance to compete for some silverware in Croke Park. It won’t rank up there with the victories with the Hill but it would certainly be one for the highlights.

Picture: Sean lifting the cup as winning Captain at the State Games 2016.

Juvenile Activity

It was a busy week just gone for many of our Juvenile teams.  Our U8s travelled to Páirc ui Chaoimh last Saturday .Fielding two teams the lads put in great performances in all the games they played in very warm conditions. Thanks to GDA coaches and Rebel Og for organizing a great morning of hurling. The U9’s played host to Ballycastle on the same day in the Hill. All the boys put in great performances and gave great entertainment. Our U10 hurlers made the short trip to Buck Leary’s Cross to play Sars. The boys acquitted themselves really well. Thanks to Sarsfields who were gracious hosts. The U11’s got a great workout against Sars who came to the Hill. In two highly competitive games the lads got a great test from a very strong and well drilled Sar’s team. Well done to all the boys. With a break for some age groups from competitive action for a few weeks, we encourage you all to keep up the good work and keep training and developing the skills of the game under the tutelage of our great coaches. Enjoy the summer holidays boys!

Upcoming Fixtures

Intermediate Hurling League: Tuesday July 9^th @ 7.30, home to Inniscarra.

Minors: League Game Monday, July 8^th @ 7.30pm, away to St. Colmans

Congratulations

Comghairdeas to our clubmate, Shane O Regan, who lines out for Cork U20's this week in their clash with Limerick in Pairc Ui Rinn. At the time of writing result is not known but we wish Shane and the Cork team every success in the competition. It’s a great honour for Shane his family and our club to have him wear the red of Cork. We are very proud of you Shane.

Congratulations to Watergrasshill NS and staff on receiving the GAA 5 Star recognition. The GAA 5 Star initiative aims to support and recognise Primary Schools that provide pupils with 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous Gaelic Games activity per week in a manner that ensures the children will experience fun, friendship, fairness and ultimately improve their fitness. Recognition as a “GAA 5 Star Centre” is awarded to Primary Schools that undertake to deliver a programme of Gaelic Games activity that is age-appropriate and meets the developmental needs of children within the school. Well done all and enjoy your holidays!!!!

SuperValu Kits for Kids

SuperValu have launched their GAA kits for kids initiative again and Ryans SuperValu Glanmire have kindly included Watergrasshill GAA U10’s in this. So if you shop in Ryan’s over the next few weeks, we would appreciate your support by popping your receipt into the Watergrasshill U10 box. If we collect enough receipts we will get a new kit for the boys. Thanks in advance.

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 5, 7, 16 & 26. €30 lucky dip winners are Liam Casey, John & Assumpta Barry, Marie O Driscoll & Pam Murphy (who’s luck has certainly been in past few weeks, will she land the Jackpot is the question!!). Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €15,400 and draw will take place in The Fir Tree. Tickets (€2) available to purchase locally at The Hut Bar, O'Mahonys Bar, The Fir Tree, Johnny's Shop and Restaurant and Ross’s Centra. You can also play on-line via our website at www.watergrasshillgaa.ie. The club lotto is an important revenue stream for the club and all monies collected get put straight back into the club. Please support if you can and remember, if you’re not in you can’t win.

Summer Competition:

This summer as you go on your travels around Ireland, Europe or far flung corners of the globe, we would love you to bring some club gear and take a picture of you wearing the Watergrasshill GAA gear on location. Be creative & have fun. Send your pictures in through Facebook Messenger or e-mail them to pro.watergrasshill.cork@gaa.ie. You can enter as many times as you like from as many places as you like, the more times you enter the more chance you have of winning. We will pick the best three and have a prize for each. Winners to be announced on Sunday September 1st. So whether it’s the summer holidays, a weekend away or a day trip to Kerry pack your gear and a camera and have fun! Please spread the word, open to all young and old!