A quiet week!
With the GAA’s decision to suspend all club matches, it’s been a quiet week on the playing front clearly. Our juvenile teams continue with training, non-contact now, but still a great outlet for the youngsters to keep up fitness, spend time with friends outdoors and get much needed fresh air.
Our U13s and U14s finished their season last Saturday with a skills and penalty competition. This consisted of three 45s (10 points for each score); three sideline cuts (20 points for each score) and crossbar challenge (three shots - 30 points for each hit). Adam Hennessy won the U13 competition and Bobby Kelleher won the U14 competition. In the knockout penalty competition (3 penalties and then knock-out), Jack Counihan won the U13 category and Cathal O’Brien won the U14 category. Thanks to Tracey Loftus and Yvonne O’Brien of the U14 social committee for providing treats and refreshments to the lads. As the season comes to an end we thank Martin O’Riordan, Derek Casey and Ger O’Brien for their huge commitment to the two squads. We thank Kevin Barry, Shane McCarthy, Eamonn Counihan, Michael Bowman, Dermot O’Mahony, David Kelleher, Anthony Forde for all their help and support during the season.
Finally, thanks to the parents for bringing the lads to all the training sessions and games, their support and understanding during a very difficult season. These are a fine group of young men who have developed their skills immensely during the year.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 4, 12, 13 and 32. €20 lucky dip winners are Margaret O’Callaghan, Jerry Cronin, Claire Delacy and Shane Dollar O’Riordan. Congratulations to you all. Next week’s jackpot is a cool €5,000 and the draw will take place Monday, October 19. Tickets are now once again on sale in some of the village businesses, like Centra and Johnny’s Shop. Tickets can also be purchased online via our club website.
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.
CLUB SHOP
Our club shop is always open where club crested clothing is available to buy, from shorts to jerseys to training tops and tracksuit bottoms, for adults and juveniles in various sizes. Hurling helmets also available to buy through the club. If you need anything or would like to speak to someone about what is available and sizes, contact Adrienne on 0877589139. Also keep an eye on our club social media page where new club gear can be seen.
CALLING ON THE HILL DIASPORA
Have you family or friends who once upon a time played GAA in the Hill but now live in some far flung corner of the world, like Australia or Leitrim? If you know of someone I’d love to get in touch (you can direct message through the club social media page or drop me an e-mail to pro.watergrasshill.cork@gaa.ie) to hear their story (if you don’t mind sharing) and maybe bring them back closer to family and friends still living here in Watergrasshill.
THROWBACK THURSDAY
In 1985 Watergrasshill National school entered Sciath na Scol for the first time. The school’s first foray into this competition met with some success as the team went through the preliminary stages unbeaten only to be defeated by Cloghroe NS in the final.
Many more finals were contested. The anticipation and excitement leading up to and particularly on the day of a final quickly became a highlight not just for the pupils but also for the teachers, parents and local community who supported the various teams through thick and thin.
The daily training sessions behind the school, the travelling away to play other schools and ultimately playing in the big stadium were all part of the magic of Sciath na Scol. Outright success was of course always most welcome and many a joyful and jubilant journey was made home from Cork with red jerseys adorning the windows of the bus while the cup was displayed inside the front window for all to see. Needless to mention, the celebratory half-day, usually granted so graciously by the Board of Management, was the ultimate icing on the cake for the young players and their loyal supporters.’
SYMPATHY
On behalf of our club, deepest sympathy is extended to the Barry and McDonagh families, on the passing of Anne in the UK recently. We also extend our sympathies to the Cronin family on the passing of Michael, Bishops Island. May they both rest in peace.