Three reasons Watergrasshill tasted All-Ireland glory

TEMPERAMENT

On such a big occasion, the desire to do well can sometimes translate to a tightness that results in greater mistakes.

Watergrasshill started slowly in the first half, trailing by 0-4 to 0-1, but they managed to turn that around to lead by five points coming up to half-time. Then, in the second half, as Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry built up momentum, the game looked to be heading away from the Hill, but they never wilted – they didn’t trail by more than a point at any stage and they defended resolutely.

It meant that the game was still in the melting pot.

GOALS
Watergrasshill’s defence was stout, Dylan McCarthy leading a mean effort from the full-back line while Aiden Foley was calm under any high balls.

It meant that Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry didn’t threaten a green flag. At the other end, Watergrasshill had goals from Adam Murphy and Seán Desmond – throughout the campaign, those two have presented a cutting edge that few teams at intermediate level can match and it was fitting that they came good on the biggest stage.

FORTUNE

The entire win cannot be put down to luck – had Watergrasshill lost, then they would have had more than a few instances of poor shooting to rue – but a one-score game will always have the few what-if moments that are at the mercy of fate.

Shane Moloney was central to Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry gaining the upper hand in the second half but he suffered a knock and could not continue to hit frees, while the crucial goal came from an avoidable defensive mix-up.

That said, Seán Desmond still had a lot to do and he certainly did it.