Firstly, we would like to wish all of our members, families, sponsors, supporters and friends a very Happy New Year and we look forward to 2023 being an action-packed year with much to look forward to both on and off the field.

New Year’s Resolution

With record numbers of teams & players now involved with the club and our capital program progressing at pace, there has never been a greater need for help with both on-field and off-field activities. So, if you could give as little as one hour per week with any aspect of the club, please do reach out to pro.watergrasshill.cork@gaa.ie, message us through one of our social channels or drop a text to 098-6435798 and we will gladly get you involved. Remember, no playing experience is required, and we would welcome everyone from trades-people, tea-makers & accountants to doctors, grass-cutters and Engineers, there’s a part to play for everyone and a role for everyone. With so many projects both currently in progress and in the pipeline, it’s a great time to volunteer & pay it forward as part of your New Year’s resolution. Giving just an hour a week could make a difference to the success of our club for current & future generations.

Lotto Winner

December 5th saw Laura O’Reilly scoop our €4,600 Lotto jackpot. Laura collected her prize just in time for Christmas from our Lotto committee Ber O’Callaghan, Brian Fenton & Dick Gardiner. Congratulation to Laura & Thank You to everyone who supports our Lotto which is a vital fundraiser contributing towards to running of the club.          

Poc Fada

St. Stephen’s Day saw the return of our Annual Poc Fada. Turn out this year was fantastic with so many people coming to support Ronald McDonald house, our chosen charity to which we donated all of the proceeds. Ronald Mc Donald house provide accommodation and a caring, supportive environment for families whose children are undergoing medical treatment at Crumlin Children’s hospital. RMDH have supported a number of local families during the past year, so it was a fitting charity to support. Thank You to everyone who supported the Poc Fada and congratulations to The Doyle’s & Holly and Hannah O’Mahony who claimed joint first place. Also a big Thank You to Claire O’Leary, Adrienne McCarthy & Barry Joyce for looking after the logistics of the day

Christmas Raffle

Our Christmas Raffle was held on December 30th in The Hut Bar where William Connolly from Glenville scooped top prize of Flights & Accommodation to New York kindly sponsored by Ross's Centra Watergrasshill. In total we had 32 prizes on offer, all sponsored by local businesses. We are so thankful to all those local businesses who sponsored prizes this year and we would ask all our members to support these businesses where possible. The Christmas Raffle is a key fundraiser for the club, and every cent raised goes straight back into the running of our club & we are indebted to every single person who supported the raffle by purchasing a ticket.   

Congratulations to William on winning top prize, thanks again to Ken Ross & Ross’s Centra, Watergrasshill for sponsoring top prize again this year. We’d also like to acknowledge Claire O’Leary, Jenni Fouhy, Kieran O’Keeffe, Don O’Riordan, Niall O’Riordan & Brian Fenton for all of their hard work in organising the raffle and John & Betty O’Neill from The Hut Bar for hosting the raffle on the night.

Condolences

The Christmas period was one of mixed emotions across the parish with the loss of so many neighbours and friends.

Our condolences to Delia and the O’Riordan family on the passing of our former chairperson Michael O’Riordan. Mick was a true community man and worked tirelessly for the entire parish. Mick was a gentleman who gave his time not just to our club, but to the entire parish and he will be sadly missed.

Condolences also to Marie and the O’Connell family on the passing of John “Croppy” O’Connell. The croppy was a family man, farmer, actor, friend and passionate GAA man with his beloved St. Vincent’s GAA club holding a special place in his heart.

Last weekend we also lost Paudie Palmer. Originally hailing from Blackwater in Co. Kerry, Paudie was the unmistakable, much-loved voice of Cork GAA for many years, his commentary and knowledge of Cork GAA at all levels will be sadly missed.

We also offer our condolences to the families of Ellen Hearne, Michael Murphy, Saoirse O’Sullivan, Scott Conroy and Alan Leahy who have passed away recently. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 6, 12, 17 and 29. Lucky dip winners are Denis Murphy, Maura Healy, Betty & Fionn and Peggy Barry. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €2,000 and draw will take place 16th January in The Fir Tree 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.