Watergrasshill finish strongly to edge Courcey Rovers in cracking encounter

Watergrasshill 3-18

Courcey Rovers 1-22 

It took Watergrasshill long enough to find the winning habit and they certainly won’t let it go too easily.

Across 2022 and 2023, they drew five Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC games and lost one, but it was never enough to qualify for the knockout stages; last year, everything came together as county, Munster and All-Ireland glory were claimed.

In their senior A opener against Courcey Rovers at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday, they led by four at half-time but looked to have been reeled in by a dogged Courcey Rovers. 

Richard Sweetnam’s ninth point of the day put the Ballinspittle/Ballinadee side in front with six minutes left but it proved to be their last score. Even allowing for a Brendan Lehane goal effort that flashed wide, the Hill had the momentum and sub Ryan Loftus levelled before Shane O’Regan sent over a free for his eighth point. 

In injury time, Courceys pressed but a great aerial win by centre-back Kevin O’Neill, excellent throughout, allowed Seán Desmond to counter-attack and fire over, bringing his tally to 2-3.

In the group of death also featuring Blarney and Bride Rovers, two points are vital oxygen. However, despite having so much riding on the outcome, there was a freedom – and occasionally flawed quality – to the fare, providing plenty of excitement for any neutrals.

The Hill’s last championship match before this was the All-Ireland Club IHC final win at Croke Park in January. 

On that occasion, Desmond scored a 65th-minute goal to win and here he netted with just over a minute on the clock, latching on to Aiden Foley’s wind-assisted puckout before finishing well.

Liam Collins of Courcey Rovers breaking through the Watergrasshill midfield. Picture: Dan Linehan

However, the lead lasted only a matter of seconds as Courceys raised a green flag when Aidan O’Donovan’s sideline cut deceived Foley. That set in train a break-neck opening period – it took until the eighth minute for the first wide and by that stage Courceys – missing goalkeeper Stephen Nyhan and former Cork panellist Seán Twomey – led by 1-4 to 1-3.

Further points from hardworking midfielder DJ Twomey and Daniel O’Donovan opened up a three-point lead but it was only temporary – Patrick Cronin’s point for the Hill, who were without the injured Dáire O’Leary, was followed by a second goal as Kevin O’Neill’s clearance bounced awkwardly for goalkeeper Michael O’Donovan and Adam Murphy was able to nip in to tap the ball home.

The upper hand continued to alternate and a lovely Aidan O’Donovan point had Courceys 1-10 to 2-6 up – when Michael O’Donovan saved well to deny Desmond, a third Daniel O’Donovan point had the Carrigdhoun side two ahead again.

What followed was the most one-sided segment of the half, with the Hill piecing together an unanswered 1-3. The run started with a well-worked point featuring the input of corner-back Dylan Roche and Patrick Cronin, finished by Shane O’Regan for this third; then sub Ciarán O’Leary fired over after a loose clearance. O’Regan’s free had them in front before another high ball in was won by Desmond, who claimed his second goal.

After a Richard Sweetnam free for Courceys, Desmond had the final say of the half for a four-point advantage, 3-10 to 1-12.

The switching of Tadhg O’Sullivan from the full-forward line to midfield, and the consequent relocation of Martin Collins to full-back, gave Courceys a better platform in the second half, helping to curb the Hill inside line somewhat.

O’Sullivan fired over some excellent points, in tandem with Sweetnam’s frees, as Courceys got on top. After O’Regan’s point put the Hill 3-13 to 1-17 ahead on 46, O’Sullivan and Sweetnam had Courceys level and they moved in front with ten left after Brian Collins’ strength created a chance for sub Conor Crowley.

An exchange of points between O’Regan and Sweetnam maintained the status quo, but the Hill had the stronger finish.

Scorers for Watergrasshill: S Desmond 2-3, S O’Regan 0-8 (0-6 f), A Murphy 1-0, J Gowen, K O’Neill, A Cronin, P Cronin, L Foley, R Loftus, C O’Leary 0-1 each.

Courcey Rovers: R Sweetnam 0-9 (0-7 f), A O’Donovan 1-2 (1-0 sl), T O’Sullivan 0-4, D O’Donovan 0-3, DJ Twomey 0-2, C Crowley 0-1.

WATERGRASSHILL: A Foley; S Field, D McCarthy, D Roche; I O’Callaghan, K O’Neill, J Gowen; A Cronin, A Spriggs; S O’Regan, S Desmond, P Cronin; A Murphy, B Lehane, P O’Leary.

Subs: C O’Leary for Field (21, injured), B Lehane for Spriggs (38), R Loftus for Cronin (48), C Healy for Roche (55-57), Healy for O’Leary (60+1), C Cronin for L Foley (60+2).

COURCEY ROVERS: M O’Donovan; D Collins, F Lordan, K Collins; O Crowley, C Roche, L Collins; DJ Twomey, M Collins; D O’Donovan, R Sweetnam, B Ryan; A O’Donovan, B Collins, T O’Sullivan.

Subs: C Crowley for K Collins (half-time), C Morgan for Ryan (59), R O’Callaghan for B Collins (60+1).

Referee: A Hyland (Kilworth).