Watergrasshill captain Seán Desmond: Important we grasp this chance for Munster success

Watergrasshill captain Seán Desmond says a club effort has been key in their success so far this season.

The Imokilly side have already collected two trophies this year, the RedFM Division 5 hurling league crown during the summer and then the Co-Op SuperStores PIHC title three weeks ago.

Tomorrow, Watergrasshill have the chance to win a third crown when they meet Tipperary’s Cashel King Cormacs in the AIB Munster Club IHC final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds (6pm).

“The group of lads that we have here and the management, it’s just special,” Desmond said. 

“Even the club people that are involved, they would be at our training sessions week in, week out, turning up to help in any way possible. We have serious buy-in from the club and the community. We have managed to get a crop of unbelievable players together, young and old. It just has been a beautiful mix to be honest with you.

“I have been involved in a fair few teams, be it Cork U20s or soccer teams, but I don’t know what it is with this Watergrasshill group of lads. We just do everything together. We would be training until let's say 9pm and then we would all go for grub together. Everyone has bought into it. We are all going in the same direction.” 

Desmond says it’s all about focusing on what Watergrasshill can bring to the table tomorrow with Cashel King Cormacs a very decent outfit.

“It should be a cracker of a game,” he states. 

“One thing I did hear about Cashel is that they are a physical side, but we are just as physical ourselves. Playing in the Gaelic Grounds will be nice. It’s important that we don’t focus too much on the opposition. We have been very good at just worrying about what we can control.

“We are 60-65 minutes away from claiming a Munster title, it’s something that this village has never seen before. It would be absolutely incredible. We didn’t start well the last day against Wolfe Tones, which was understandable, but we will need to start on the front foot in this one.” 

There’s a great buzz around the parish of Watergrasshill as would be expected. These are historic times for the club.

“Watergrasshill is steeped in hurling. If you walk up the street of the village, there are flags, signs and banners everywhere. It just shows how much a lift it has given everyone. Everyone is wishing you good luck, all the talk is about hurling. It’s brilliant for us. We have had a tough few years with drawing games and not getting over the line. These days don’t come around too often so it’s important that we grasp this opportunity at the weekend.”