Shield final disappointment

WEEKLY ROUND-UP

It wasn’t to be for our U17 team last Tuesday evening in their shield final against a very strong Kilworth Araglin outfit. We trailed at the break by 4 points (0-11 to 1-10), however in the second half Kilworth Araglin asserted their dominance on the game running out winners 0-18 to 5-15. Credit to the lads who have endured a tough couple of years compounded by lack of game time as a result of the compressed season in 2021 where U16 games were scarce.

As these boys turned men, transitioned from the juvenile club to our adult club, it’s worth taking a moment to acknowledge this great group. They have won a plethora of honours down through the years including league honours at Fé 12, Fé 13 and Fé 14, county honours at Fé 13 and Fé 14 and national Féile honours at U14 in 2019. With no games in 2020 at U15 due to Covid and a non-existent season in 2021 at U16 due to the Rebel Óg focus on odd ages post Covid, they went almost 2 years with no competitive action at what could be argued, the most critical age for player development and retention.

In spite of all that, with Mick O’Driscoll and Liam Foley representing Cork at minor level, Ciarán O’Leary, Cian Cronin O’Neill and Fionn Fitzgerald representing at Primary games level and Cian Cronin O’Neill also claiming national and Munster handball titles as well as Cork U16 long puck (at the age of 14) – this group have not only tasted great success but also some bitter defeats down through the years. Their successes with Glenville and Watergrasshill United is also worth mentioning, a multi-talented group across different codes.

In naming names, there is always risk of missing someone but Derek Casey, Donal Lehane, Martin O’Riordan, Ger O’Brien, Michael Moore, Andrew O’Callaghan and Darragh O’Callaghan have all at some point helped mentor this group down through the years and great credit must go to those men for giving their time to help develop the next generation. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir and good luck to the lads as they transition to our adult ranks.

Elsewhere, it was great to see our Junior hurlers pick up their first win of the season overcoming Midleton 0-15 to 0-24. Again, credit to the lads for turning around a slow start to the season – just in time for championship too.

On Saturday last our U13s made the trip to Castlelyons for a league game. Numbers depleted by holidays and injuries, we had only 50% of the boys on the age available so dipped into the younger reserves to make up a team. Despite going down 1-12 to 0-6, the boys put in a performance they can be proud off. Everyone battled throughout and made life difficult for a strong Castlelyons team. Well done to all the boys and thanks to the younger players who gave a great account of themselves throughout.

BEST WISHES TO MAIRÉAD O’CALLAGHAN

Everyone involved with Watergrasshill GAA extends our best wishes to Mairéad O’Callaghan on the occasion of her retirement last week. Mairéad was principle of Glenville National School and gave 40 years of service at the school inspiring many generations through her love of education and GAA. COMMUNITY GAMES SUCCESS

Congratulations to Cormac McCarthy who won the U12 long puck competition at the Community Games last weekend. Well done also to Sam O’Leary who came 4th. Cormac has also qualified for the All Irelands, in Carlow in August. No doubt, Cian Cronin O’Neill could give Cormac a few words of advice ahead of the big day – well done Cormac.

LOTTO

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 5, 9, 10 and 21. Lucky dip winners are Kieran Cotter, Pat O’Brien, Jerry Mackey and Dean Roche. Congrats to you all. Next week’s jackpot is €2,400 and draw will take place Monday, 27 June. 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.

The Avondhu

Shield final disappointment