Munster Club Hurling: Watergrasshill look to maintain upward momentum

Given that there were just six days between Watergrasshill’s Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC final win over Carrigaline and the AIB Munster Club IHC semi-final against Wolfe Tones na Sionna, a slow start was almost to be expected.

Even so, a 1-2 to 0-1 deficit early in the semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn provided an early challenge but it was one they met impressively, responding to beat the Clare champions by 2-20 to 2-13.

Now, the Hill face a Munster final against Tipperary’s Cashel King Cormacs at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick this evening (6pm) and manager Eddie Enright was pleased with how they showed composure last time out.

“You definitely don’t want to get a start like that,” he says, “but, in fairness, they reacted really well.

“There was no panic and they stuck to what they’re good at and came more and more into the game. After the first ten minutes, they started to play and we started to dominate physically as well I thought, which is good.

“I think we were good value for the win, albeit we got a bit of luck at different times. We’ll certainly take it, anyway.”

While a two-week lead-in is certainly more welcome than a six-day turnaround, the key thing for Enright was the fact that the team’s focus was strong.

“You’re celebrating the county win,” he says, “but, then again, maybe the pressure’s off a bit and players relax going into it and there’s a merit in that as well – I don’t think you lose too much fitness in the few days.

“What was nice, I think, is that the guys were up for it. Sometimes, when you’ve a six-day turnaround and it goes into the melting pot, you see whether you’re really up for it or not and I think they were.

“That was great to see, that they want to keep driving it on.”

While Dylan Roche is suspended after his red card against Wolfe Tones, Watergrasshill should otherwise have a full squad. Does Thurles native Enright have any special insights into Cashel?

“I’d love to say yes but no is the answer!” he laughs. “I’m gone too long and I didn’t really see any of the club championship in Tipp this year because you’ve too many conflicts when you manage a team down here.

“I’ve heard lots about them during the year, that they’re going in the right direction and they have a very strong squad. 

When they’ve the likes of Ger Browne coming on, you know they’ve a decent panel.

“Certainly, they’ve been finishing well, their last 10 minutes every game has been strong and that’s where they’ve won games.

TRADITION

“They have the Bonnars in the team, the Connollys in the team, they have a huge tradition and that does mean a lot.

“We’re breaking new ground all the time and we’re trying to get to that level. Getting that senior club status for the first time is huge for us.

“We’re learning all the time, whereas they have that tradition in the club, which will help. That’s another element that we have to try to get around.”