Desmond and Lehane star as Watergrasshill progress to PIHC semi-final

Sean Desmond’s first half goal gave the Hill a 1-9 to 0-9 halftime lead and four minutes into the second half, they had doubled that lead

Sean Desmond reacts after hitting the net for Watergrasshill.

Co-op Superstores Cork PIHC: Watergrasshill 2-18 Valley Rovers 1-17

We are always told that winning is a habit. However, Watergrasshill have found out over the past couple of seasons that drawing is one too. 

They had drawn five of their last six championship games up until this year, but now after recording their third win of the PIHC campaign against Valley Rovers in Pairc Uí Rinn on Sunday, they are straight through to the semi-finals.

What does manager Eddie Enright think has changed?

“Not a whole lot! We’ve a great bunch of lads, making a big effort. I think the last couple of years we’ve been really unlucky not to get over the line, five draws in a row. This year, we’ve got that bit of luck against Carrigaline in the last fifteen minutes. 

"We got a bit of luck in really windy conditions in Aghavine, and today, again, I think, we got a couple of goals at the right time which made the difference. It gave us a bit of a cushion that we were able to hold on to.” 

Those goals were the difference, and there was nothing lucky about either of them. The first came after twenty-four minutes when Sean Desmond latched onto a long delivery from Anthony Cronin and planted the ball into the top corner. 

It put them 1-6 to 0-7 in front against a Valleys side that were relying too much on Colm Butler’s dead-ball expertise. Butler and Jack Walsh responded for the Rovers, but points from Adam Murphy, Liam Foley and Brendan Lehane left the Hill a goal to the good at the break.

Watergrasshill’s second major then arrived four minutes after the interval, Lehane finishing off a quality move involving Murphy, Ciarán O’Leary and Daire O’Leary to make it 2-10 to 0-10. They then hit three of the next four to take total control.

The excellent Eoin Guinane then goaled for Valleys to make it 2-13 to 1-11 with fifteen to play. Butler, Eoghan Crowley and Ciarán McCarthy kept scoring for the Rovers, but the Hill were always able to respond with Murphy, Daire O’Leary and ‘keeper Aidan Foley all on target.

They’ll face Dungourney or Mallow in the final four, as scoring difference ensured that Valleys will be playing at this grade again in 2025.

Scorers for Watergrasshill: S Desmond (1-4), A Murphy (0-6, 0-2 frees), B Lehane (1-2), A Foley (0-2, frees), M O’Driscoll, D O’Leary, L Foley and K O’Neill (0-1 each).

Scorers for Valley Rovers: C Butler (0-9, 0-7 frees), E Guinane (1-2), E Crowley (0-3), J Walsh, R O’Sullivan and C McCarthy (0-1 each). 

WATERGRASSHILL: A Foley; D Roche, I O’Callaghan, D McCarthy; M O’Driscoll, D O’Leary, K O’Neill; A Spriggs, A Cronin; C O’Leary, A Murphy, L Foley; S Desmond (c), P O’Leary, B Lehane.

Subs: D O’Farrell for O’Callaghan (27), S O’Regan for Spriggs (37), C Healy for L Foley (43), P Cronin for P O’Leary (51), J McCarthy for Lehane (60). 

VALLEY ROVERS: J Lynch; D Murphy, M O’Leary, M Woods; D Lynch, W Hurley (c), C Johnson; E Guinane, J Walsh; C Butler, B McCarthy, J Cottrell; E O’Reilly, A Kenneally, E Crowley.

Subs: R O’Sullivan for Guinane (temporary, (15-17), R O’Sullivan for McCarthy (20), E O’Shea for O’Reilly (h/t), C McCarthy for Cottrell (36), E Delaney for Johnson (52) Referee: Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).