Impressive Watergrasshill defeat Carey Faughs to reach All-Ireland IHC decider

Watergrashill 1-21 

Carey Faughs 0-8 

Watergrasshill are heading to Croke Park after defeating Carey Faughs of Antrim in the All-Ireland IHC club semi-final at Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Sunday afternoon.

The Cork PIHC winners and Munster champions continued their great form here played in difficult weather conditions as they were simply too strong for their opposition in the end with their attacking flair and tenacious defending proving key.

Eddie Enright’s side never looked in trouble in this one in truth once they got motoring. 

They had a nervy start with the wind causing havoc, but a goal after 12 minutes gave them a springboard to kick on and even though Carey Faughs did show signs of reeling in Watergrasshill late in the first half, it didn’t transpire. 

The second half was a stroll in the park.

The Imokilly side will face Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry of Galway in the decider at GAA HQ on Sunday, January 12.

Carey Faughs were aided by a strong wind in the opening 30 minutes, but it took some time for the game to catch fire. Both sets of supporters were very vocal, which added to the occasion.

The Ulster champions did get the first score when Conall McGlynn pointed a free after five minutes. 

Watergrasshill certainly had more possession in the opening stages, but racked up three wides in the first 10 minutes. 

Carey Faughs added another white flag from a free through McGlynn before Watergrasshill finally settled with a big score after 12 minutes.

Anthony Cronin gave a delicious ball into Seán Desmond, the latter turned his marker and finished the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The sides traded the next four points before a Adam Murphy placed ball gave the Hill a two-point lead after 18 minutes, 1-3 to 0-4. 

They were in the groove now with efforts from Brendan Lehane, Desmond and a Murphy free further extending the Hill’s advantage with six minutes to the interval.

It was a high-scoring end to the first half with Watergrasshill landing five of the last six points to lead 1-11 to 0-5 at half-time. Shane O’Regan’s effort the highlight of those scores while Pádraig O’Leary’s point could have easily been a goal.

Watergrasshill were in firm control now as they had wind advantage for the second half. A pair of Desmond efforts got his team off to the perfect start to the new half.

Enright’s side were showing their class all over the pitch as they hit three of the next four points to lead 1-16 to 0-6 with 18 minutes remaining. The game was starting to peter out at this stage. 

The Imokilly side were using the wind to their advantage if it even mattered given their superiority.

A pair of Murphy frees and a superb Desmond point pushed their side’s lead out to 1-19 to 0-6 after 50 minutes. 

In the final stages, the Cork outfit landed two of the last four points. Job done. Onto Croker. 

Scorers for Watergrasshill: S Desmond 1-5, A Murphy 0-8 (0-7 f), B Lehane 0-3, P O’Leary, S O’Regan, A Cronin, D O’Leary, I O’Callaghan 0-1 each.

Carey Faughs: C McGlynn 0-4 f, C McBride 0-2, C Cane (f), C McCaughan 0-1 each.

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

Subs: J Foley for A Foley (38, inj), L Foley for C O’Leary (42), J Gowen for A Spriggs (47), P Cronin for I O’Callaghan (49), J McCarthy for A Murphy (54).

CAREY FAUGHS: S McGinn; Z McCaughan, S McBride, P Gillan; J McBride, J McCouaig, S Hunter (c); P Butler, M McVeigh; C McGlynn, C McCaughan, C McBride; J Black, C McKinley, C Care.

Subs: F McVeigh for J Black (32, inj), E Hill for P Gillan (42), C McKiernan for S Hunter, S Mathers for C McKinley, E McKinley for C McBride (all 59).

Referee: Conor Daly (Kildare).