Russell Rovers and Watergrasshill set tone as Cork club hurling ruled Munster again

While Sarsfields’ victory will dominate the weekend plaudits, the first two legs of a remarkable Cork clean sweep of Munster hurling titles arrived on Saturday with 10-point wins for Russell Rovers and Watergrasshill.

The Hill’s margin of victory was the less expected of that pair but their progression bodes well for a strong crack at the All-Ireland Intermediate title in the coming weeks, beginning with a semi-final against Carey Faughs of Antrim in a fortnight.

They played with flair and physicality to overwhelm Cashel King Cormacs despite a downpour at the Gaelic Grounds.

Adam Murphy stole the show with 1-12 (1-5 from play) but their defence was equally worthy of credit for their best performance of the year.

Frequently, Dáire O’Leary, Kevin O’Neill, and co. were able to turn back Cashel runners. They only allowed one starter, Tipperary U20 Oisín O’Donoghue, to score from play.

Devon Ryan and Ross Bonnar had scored in all 12 championship games for Cashel this year, while David McGrath had registered in all but one. All three were held scoreless by the likes of O’Leary, O’Neill, and Shane Field.

Their running game and long deliveries simply couldn’t break that iron-clad half-back line.

Aaron Spriggs dropped seamlessly into that unit when Michael O’Driscoll, who started with a heavily strapped knee, limped off.

Ian O’Callaghan came in at corner-back for the suspended Dylan Roche and he gave an exceptional performance. He was well suited to the roaming role permitted by Cashel’s two-man full-forward line and swept up turnovers while nipping out a loose pass to land a score of his own.

Up front, Murphy is revelling in the freedom conferred by manager Eddie Enright. He permits Murphy and captain Seán Desmond to interchange between centre- and full-forward at their discretion.

While Murphy sniped 0-12 from distance against Wolfe Tones na Sionna, he did his damage closer to goal here.

He looked the man-of-the-match from the opening seconds. He scored with the first possession straight from the throw-in and slotted a peach from the sideline moments later.

The clearcut goal chances all belonged to the Hill. Desmond could’ve raised two green flags but for the Cashel keeper’s quick reactions.

While the captain didn’t score, he created plenty for Murphy including another goal opening which whizzed over. When the chance came again moments later, Murphy aimed lower and skipped the clincher into the bottom corner.

Their forwards always had Cashel stretched between Brendan Lehane’s finishing and Pádraig O’Leary’s pace.

Early substitute Liam Foley also made a strong impression. With Roche still to return, it underlines a healthy competition for places entering the All-Ireland series.

They didn’t give Cashel any easy foothold thanks to some better shooting than the wayward first half against Wolfe Tones.

Enright was acutely aware of Cashel’s reputation for fast finishes as they remained hanging on within one score of the Cork champions entering the final quarter. Instead of a Premier push, it was the Hill who closed out the contest with a 1-7 to 0-3 surge from there to the end.

Already league, county, and provincial champions, they are now eyeing a fourth trophy – or indeed a fifth for those who starred in Imokilly’s senior triumph.

ON TOP AGAIN

Down the N20 at Páirc Uí Rinn, Russell Rovers were celebrating a second Munster Junior title five years after their last, beating Waterford’s Kilrossanty by 11 points.

Their big players stood up on the day with a lethal 2-2 for Brian Hartnett and 0-7 (four from play) for Josh Beausang. Luke Duggan Murray provided the cherry on top with a late 1-2 burst.

The Déise runners-up played with the gusting wind in the first half but despite a goal after 12 seconds, they only converted four of 16 shots in the half. Across the hour, their success rate was just 33%.

With centre-back James Kennefick gone travelling, Fintan Murray held the number-six role well. 

His high catch led to Hartnett’s opening goal, while a long delivery from Daniel Moynihan created the second.

That stranglehold on the Rossies’ puck-out turned the game during their 1-4 blast between the 16th and 19th minutes.

They may have another vacancy to fill with Kevin Tattan receiving a straight red card but with the experience of the 2019 All-Ireland final behind them, they will back themselves against Ballinascreen of Derry to make it back to Croke Park.