Intermediates into League decider

Our Intermediates played their last game in this year’s Division 3 league, with a home fixture versus Inniscarra. It was a game that had a nice prize at the end, for a win would ensure the Hill finished second in the league, getting promotion and also a crack at the league decider against table toppers Valley Rovers. Standing in our way was an Inniscarra side, who clearly had a score to settle after our win over them a few weeks ago in the first round of the Premier Intermediate Championship. The game was a real test, physically hard and played at a good tempo. The Hill started the game with many first team regulars missing, but still had a young, fit and motivated team take the field, and showed real intent form the get go. Inside the opening three minutes we took a 2pt to no score lead, both scores coming from Shane O Regan (Snr), one from play and one from a free. Two minutes later Inniscarra opened their account from a free and followed this up with three well taken points from play, but we also had scoring opportunities and took these to good effect, with Shane O Regan (snr) starting the game in impressive form and registering all our scores. As the opening quarter closed we lead 7 to 5. In the fifteenth minute Eoin O Reilly playing at full forward then struck for a nice point. Inniscarra would then get into the game in a big way and register the next 5 scores to lead the game 10 pts to our 8pts. Then in the twenty fifth minute, we struck for the game’s first goal, with Sean Desmond pouncing on a loss of possession in the Inniscarra backline, and from a tight angle, rattled the back of the net. On the stroke of halftime Shane converted another free to leave the score Watergrasshill 1-9, Inniscarra 10pts at halftime. The second half started as the first finished with Sean Desmond working very hard up front and a foul on him was converted by Shane, who was putting in a sterling performance. Shortly after, Inniscarra found themselves down to 14 men as their centre back saw red for a high challenge. The resulting free was once again despatched but Inniscarra upped their work rate from here and started picking off scores, getting six points to the Hills three, one of these a lovely score from William Connelly. So, as we entered the final quarter the score was all square at 1-14 to 17pts. From here we upped a gear and the introduction of Aidan Foley was having a positive impact. Aidan Won frees that Shane despatched and also won a great aerial dual that resulted in a great point from play to put us two points clear in the last few minutes. Our guys kicked on from here and a great point from play from Don O Riordan, who used quick hands in a crowded area, to fire over a point that epitomised the spirit and drive the lads showed. Shane O Regan (Snr) capped off a great display with the last two scores of the day, the final one another lovely point from play that in the end had us run out winners 1-19 to Inniscarra 18pts. So congratulations to all the Intermediate panel, players and management, it was a good league campaign and a deserved crack at being named Division 3 Champions. Best of luck in this game and for the rest of the year ahead. Hill Abu.

U21’s off to winning start

Our 21’s had a great win last Friday night in the East Cork U21A Championship. Played in splendid conditions in Rathcormac, both St Catherine’s and the Hill served up a highly entertaining and competitive fixture. It’s was St Catherine’s who got off to the better start, leading by 2pts to no score inside the opening 6 minutes. The Hill registered their first score, coming from Cillian Roche shortly after and this was followed up by a second by Shane O Regan from a placed ball. The first and only goal of the came in the 9th minute and went the way of St Catherine’s. Our lads lost possession deep in our half and Catherine’s capitalised with a well taken goal to leave the score 1-2 to 2pts. The next 20 minutes was a scrappy and tough affair with both teams trading scores, each registering 3pts, two from frees and one from play, with Shane registering all the Hill’s, this left the score 1-5 to 5pts after 28minutes. The Hill then pushed on for the remaining first half and well taken points from Sean Desmond, Dan Dennehy and Chris Healy would see the game all square at halftime 1-5 to the Hill’s 8pts. The game evenly poised for the second half. The second half started with Catherine’s taking the early spoils and they registered 5pts to the Hill’s 3pts for the opening 15minutes. Many of these scores were coming from frees, which showed the game was tight with nether team willing to give an inch. Shane O Regan was on fire from dead balls and an interesting feature of St. Catherine’s approach was their goalkeeper Eoin Davis was on free taking duty regardless of position of free on the field (he covered a lot of ground for a goalkeeper tonight). As the game moved into the final quarter, it was fair to say St. Catherine’s were marginally shading it, but write of the Hill at your peril, and when the game could have etched away from them, our lads dug deep and put in a great shift for the closing stages. St. Catherine’s continued to win and convert frees but we too made the most of the opportunities we were given and the scoreboard with three minutes of normal time left, read St. Catherine’s 1-13, Watergrasshill 16pts, a lovely score from James Cowen from wing back levelling the game. Shane then went into overdrive and put over two lovely scores from play before winning a massive ball in the air, turning quickly onto his right and firing over a beautiful point, not too unlike a score he got with Cork U20’s Wednesday night. With the game deep into injury time and the Hill leading by 3pts, they made sure of the win with Dan Dennehy firing a beaut from play and Shane finishing off proceedings with another from play to leave the game 1-13 St. Catherine’s to 21pts. Scorers for the Hill, Shane O Regan 15pts (6fr), Dan Dennehy 2pts, James Cowen, Chris Healy, Sean Desmond & Cillian Roche 1pt each. Well done to the team and management on a great win tonight. Best of luck in the next round.

Juvenile Activity

Our U7’s made the trip to Ballynoe last Saturday morning for a five team invitational blitz. Fermoy, Castlelyons, Bride Rovers, St Catherine’s and ourselves played three games of hurling and football. It was a beautiful morning with the sunshine beaming down on all in attendance. Our boys once again acquitted themselves excellently in all games. They showed great skill and drive in both codes and it’s clear they continue to develop the skills of the game. Well done boys, keep up the great work in training and at home. A big Thank You to our hosts St. Catherines GAA for the invite and organizing a great morning of GAA action and the refreshments after.

Watergrasshill U16's made the trip to Ballymacoda to take on Fr. O'Neills in the East Cork Div 1 league last Friday evening. Watergrasshill started very well, putting over 5 points before Fr. O' Neills responded with a point of their own. The first half, however belonged to Watergrasshill, who found the back of the net twice (from Mark O' Donoghue and Ciaran O' Leary) to lead at half time on a score line of 2-10 to 0-05. The second half was a different story, with Fr. O' Neills determined to score the goals that would bring them back into the game. Fr. O' Neills got within 5 points with 2 quick goals, but Eoin Fitzgerald found the back of the net to extend the margin back to 8 points. Watergrasshill tacked over another few points before Fr. O' Neills raised the green flag for the 4th time. The final score of 3-17 to 4-6 meant Watergrasshill took the spoils on the day. A very good game of hurling by both sides. Squad: Darragh Casey, Dylan Field (c), Davan Sullivan, Sam Dennehy (0-01), Michael O' Driscoll, Ryan Murray, Andrew Chandler, Ian O' Callaghan (0-02), Eoghan Knaap, Brendan Lehane (0-03), Ciaran O' Leary (1-01), Mark O' Donoghue (1-04), Cian Cronin O' Neill (0-03), Eoin Fitzgerald (1-02), Dylan Roche (0-01).

Upcoming Fixtures

U14 Div1 Championship: Wednesday 24^th July versus Blarney, @7.30pm in The Hill

U12’s travel to Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Saturday July 20^th for a Munster GAA blitz

Congratulations

Comghairdeas to our clubmate, Shane O Regan once again, who lined out for Cork U20's last week in their Munster semi-final versus Clare. Cork won on a scoreline of 23pts to Clare’s 15pts. Shane contributed 5pts, all from play with one in particular drawling a lot of post-match commentary for the great skill in winning the ball in the air and finishing the move with a beautiful point. Cork now play the Munster final, against Tipperary, in Semple Stadium Thurles, next Tuesday night July 23^rd.  

Coach’s Evening

A National Hurling Development Manager and former Kilkenny Senior Hurling Coach will carry out a training session as part of Coach education at Watergrasshill Hurling pitch on Wednesday, 21st August, starting at 6.45pm. This session is free of charge and is open to all Hurling and Camogie Coaches (from our club and neighbouring clubs). If interested contact Noel McCarthy 0858601872.

SuperValu Kits for Kids

SuperValu have launched their GAA kits for kids initiative again and Ryan’s 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 4, 5, 24 & 32. €30 lucky dip winners are Jim Courtney, Michael McNamara, Tara Fitzgerald, Helena/Fionn/Marie. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €15,700 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!