Munster Club IHC: Hill climbing to new heights

Watergrasshill manager Eddie Enright cited the way his team got on top physically in the third quarter as being key to Saturday's AIB Munster Club IHC final victory over Cashel King Cormacs.

Leading by two points at half-time at TUS Gaelic Grounds, the Hill had pushed four ahead before Adam Murphy’s goal put them in a great position, from where they pushed on.

“Another week, another epic physical battle,” said Enright.

“The weather made that happen to a degree but the pitch was perfect, so you could still hurl. The physicality was nearly off the charts at times.

“In that third quarter, we got on top physically and started to get a bit of momentum. Luckily enough, we got that goal to put a bit of space in it. Once they had to push on, it opened up the game for us.”

In tandem with the sharp cutting edge of the Hill attack – where Adam Murphy scored 1-12 – a mean defence ensured that Cashel King Cormacs rarely looked likely to score a goal. Equally, in the first half, the east Cork side ensured that, while their opponents did manage to draw level on more than one occasion, the Tipperary champions never led.

“Fair point,” Enright said.

“There was no real goal chance for them, except maybe one in the first couple of minutes. After that, we settled down.

“They have a decent forward line, all hurlers, and they have a good bench with hurlers who can come on. I thought it was a really great game.

“Cashel are really decent and they’ll be comfortable at senior in Tipperary. They brought that physical battle to it, as we knew they would, and we brought a physical battle as well and we knew we would. Any bit of daylight you get, it was going to be critical today.”

What is especially pleasing from the Hill point of view is that, after the high of winning the Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC, they improved to beat Wolfe Tones na Sionna and then build on that again in the final.

“We’re breaking new ground,” Enright said.

“Trying to win a county title for the first time in 20 years, it’s always mentally hard. In some respects, the shackles are coming off a bit. We’re relaxing into the way we play.

“They’re very consistent in the way they play. Hopefully, this journey keeps going.”

Next up is an All-Ireland semi-final against Carey Faughs of Antrim. Win that and the Hill are hurling into the new year.

“They’re an ambitious bunch who want to get better,” Enright said, “it’s a game in two weeks’ time so we’ll focus on that in maybe two days’ time!

“The talent is there – we didn’t invent it. The way we play and the buy-in from the 40 lads coming up training regularly, that buy-in is driving this.

“Yeah, they’re getting better and the more matches you play, if you get consistent in your style of play, you start to believe in it and trust it. That’s what happening now.

“We got over the county final and we started to play with a little bit more freedom but with the same physicality and they’re enjoying that.

“We’ll enjoy this. Anytime you win, you enjoy it.”