Eddie Enright says winning feeling stood to Watergrasshill

Having gone six games without a win across the 2022 and 2023 Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC campaigns, Watergrasshill more than made up for that in the 2024 season.

Five straight victories gave them the county title and four more ensured that the Munster and All-Ireland Club IHC trophies were added to the cabinet. On Sunday, they made it ten consecutive championship triumphs as they finished well to beat Courcey Rovers at Páirc Uí Rinn in their senior A debut, and manager Eddie Enright was delighted.

“Yeah, momentum is great,” he said.

“We wanted to continue where we left off last year, but we're under no illusions.

“This is a step up of grade, it's a serious standard and it's not going to get any easier, that's for sure.

“It was an important game, for sure.”

Having led by four points at half-time, Watergrasshill found themselves reeled in bit by bit and Courceys took the lead in the closing stages. Hand in hand with the winning habit is the ability to maintain composure in big moments.

“We were in trouble, but I think the lads stuck to their guns,” Enright said.

“I thought there was some smart play in the last ten minutes – kept it wide, manufactured a few one-on-ones, got some frees and got some good scores.

“We missed a few as well, but I thought that last ten minutes we did really well.”

A half-time lead of 3-10 to 1-12 owed much to the goalscoring prowess of Seán Desmond (two) and Adam Murphy. The ability to raise green flags was a valuable asset during 2024 and Enright expects it to be required again, meaning that the sights have to be well-calibrated.

“We got a few bounces of the ball there to get it, and one went against us on the other side,” he said.

“Look, we want to get goals and I think we have goal-getters. I was delighted with some of the chances that were made, they were good.

“We didn't take them all, so our percentages weren't brilliant, but we're getting into good scoring positions.”

One major blow for the Hill is the absence through injury of Dáire O’Leary, potentially for the season. On Sunday, though, they were well-served by Kevin O’Neill’s performance at centre-back, with Enright pleased at how the entire half-back line fared.

“He's an immense player,” he said, “I think, he played really well in the second half.

“He’s a powerful player and won some great balls there, as James Gowen and Ian O'Callaghan as well.

“We were ready for that kind of out-ball from Aiden in goal and that helped a lot.”

Now, they have a fortnight to prepare for the next outing, a clash with Blarney, who lost the last two finals in the grade and opened their 2025 championship with a defeat to Bride Rovers in the second leg of the double-header at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“Yeah, we have a few more on the injury-list now, to be honest, so we're not really happy with that,” Enright said.

“But, yeah, look, we'll give it another go, hopefully.”