Watergrasshill Notes (29th Oct)
- Oct 29,2024
County Final Awaits
Last Saturday afternoon, our gallant Premier Intermediate hurlers went one step closer to securing senior hurling in Watergrasshill for the first time in our history by defeating Mallow in a great match in Castletownroche. We got off to what could be described as the perfect start when a pointed 65 from Adam Murphy on 2 minutes was swiftly followed by the first of Padraig O’Leary’s 2 goals on 4 minutes. Aiden Foley added one of his trademark long range frees on 5 minutes to leave us 1-2 to 0-0 up. But this Mallow side were determined to get their account opened and Seán Hayes obliged with a pointed free after 7 minutes. The sides traded scores and with Mallow now getting more of the ball, the game was becoming more of the even tie expected, after further points from Mick O’Driscoll and Aaron Spriggs & Adam Murphy accurate from placed balls, we were 1-05 to 0-7 up after 20 minutes. There was now a noticeable increase in intensity and physicality in the game too as we struggled to get to grips with Denis and Sean Hayes. A massive turning point in the game was between 24 and 26 second half minutes, on 24 minutes, Mallow drew level for the first time in the game, but just two minutes later Mallow’s Ronan Sheehan saw a straight red from referee Wayne King after an off the ball incident. However, the loss of a man didn’t have an immediate impact as the sides finished level 1-07 to 0-10 at the break, the hill men were hoping to make that advantage pay after the restart.
The second half, was a tighter affair to begin with, both sides traded scores and after 12 second half minutes, the sides were level at 1-09 to 0-12. However, in the next 9 minutes the hill registered 2-04 without reply, with Padraig O’Leary and Ciarán O’Leary both raising green flags. By the time Mallow stopped the flood on 24 minutes, the hill had opened a 9 point lead and the contest appeared to be over as the extra man was telling all over the pitch. By the time Brendan Lehane added the hill’s fourth goal on 24 minutes, following a strong run by Dáire O’Leary, the hill were now leading 4-13 to 0-13 and many of the Mallow faithful were heading for their cars. To their credit, Mallow kept going and got their just rewards on 31 minutes when Stephen O’Callaghan registered his sides only goal of the game. The final score was 4-16 to 1-14 and the hill men now face Carrigaline in the County Final on November 9th in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Eddie Enright’s men will have no fear going into the final and with 7 Premier Senior medals along with a D4 league title already secured, his players are on board to take the hill to the promised land of senior hurling and who knows, maybe a journey into the uncharted waters of the Munster
Championship.
Watergrasshill: Aiden Foley; Shane Field, Dylan McCarthy, Dylan Roche; Mick O’Driscoll, Daire O’Leary, Kevin O’Neill; Ian O’Callaghan, Aaron Spriggs; Liam Foley, Shane O’Regan, Padraig O’Leary; Brendan Lehane, Sean Desmond, Adam Murphy.
Scorers for Watergrasshill: A Murphy 0-7 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), P O’Leary 2-0, B Lehane, C O’Leary 1-1 each. A Foley (f), D O’Leary, D McCarthy, M O’Driscoll, A Spriggs, L Foley, S Desmond 0-1 each.
Under 21’s strong start
Our U-21’s opened their championship campaign with a great win over a strong St. Colman’s side in Cloyne on Monday afternoon. Captain Ian O’Callaghan along with Mick O’Driscoll, Ciaran O’Leary and Liam Foley showed no ill effects following their PIHC performance on Saturday. At the break, the sides were level 1-09 to 0-12, but the hill went into another gear in the second half, winning on a score line of 1-15 to 3-21. The lads will now face Midleton this coming Saturday in round two and we wish them the very best of luck.
Lotto
There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 2, 9, 22 & 24. Lucky dip winners, who each receive €30 are Dina & Denis Murphy, Colm Fenton, Aaron Ricken and Bridget Cronin. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is a whopping €15,600 and draw will take place on 4th November 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.
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 2nd November
Mulcahy Steel, U-21B Championship
Watergrasshill V Midleton at 2:30 in Watergrasshill
Sunday 10th November
Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Championship Final
Watergrasshill V Carrigaline at 2pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Recent Results:
Saturday 26th October
Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Championship Semi-Final
Watergrasshill 4-16 V 1-14 Mallow
Sunday 27th October
Mulcahy Steel, U-21B Championship
St. Colman’s 1-15 V 3-21 Watergrasshill
Monday 28th October
Rebel Óg East, Fé15 Championship
Watergrasshill 0-04 V 3-17 Glen Rovers
