Cork Hurling: Watergrasshill's winning run faces major test from Blarney
DJ Ó Tuama of Courcey Rovers about to strike under pressure from Shane O'Regan of Watergrasshill in their Co-op SuperStores SAHC match at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: Dan Linehan
Having won their three group games in the 2020 Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC, Watergrasshill were defeated by Courcey Rovers at the quarter-final stage.
Over the next three seasons, the East Cork side played nine group games – and won none of them. Three losses in 2021 necessitated participation in the relegation play-off and the win there against Aghada was their only triumph during that period, with three draws in 2022 and two draws and a loss in 2023 meaning elimination prior to the knockout stage each time.
Penance served, the 2024 season provided a release – by the time it ended, nine straight wins had given them Cork, Munster and All-Ireland titles.
The sequence became ten in their senior A championship debut a fortnight ago and, coincidentally, Courcey Rovers were the opponents at Páirc Uí Rinn as the Hill finished strongly to win their Group 3 opener by 3-18 to 1-22. Captain Seán Desmond, who scored the winning goal in injury time at the end of January’s All-Ireland final, carried his form in to the new year as he scored 2-3 while Shane O’Regan was deadly from dead balls.
The challenges don’t get any easier for Eddie Enright’s side but that was to be expected when the draws were made.
The mid-Cork side lost their opener to Bride Rovers, the side they beat at the semi-final stage in each of the past two seasons, and while the Group 3 clash at Grenagh this evening (6.30pm) won’t strictly speaking be a knockout tie, it will have a lot of the hallmarks of one.
Injuries – such as that to Pádraig Power – have impinged on Blarney’s prospects but any team with Mark Coleman and Shane Barrett in their ranks can be a threat.
Both games in Group 2 also take place this evening at 6.30pm. Bishopstown, relegated from premier senior last year, suffered a losing start at senior A level as they lost to Castlelyons, who were defeated semi-finalists year, and now the Town must take on the other side that won in that section, Inniscarra.
The Muskerry outfit got the better of Ballyhea, with Brian Daly and Frank Horgan netting while Joseph Enright finished with nine points. Another victory for them in Ballymah would them in touching distance of the knockout stages and Bishopstown will look to Brian Murray and James Scally among others as they bid to keep their hopes alive.
Kildorrery in the venue for the clash of Castlelyons and Ballyhea. Alan Fenton and Anthony Spillane shone for Castlelyons last time out while John Morrissey was Ballyhea’s scorer-in-chief against Inniscarra.
In Sunday’s only second-tier game, Carrigtwohill take on Na Piarsaigh in Páirc Uí Rinn at 4pm. Carrigtwohill beat Fermoy two weeks ago while their opponents lost to Killeagh and so will need to take something from the game.
At Premier Intermediate level, last year’s IAHC winners Lisgoold suffered a narrow defeat to Valley Rovers in their first Group 3 outing. This time around, they take on Mallow in Castlelyons on Sunday (1.30pm) and, with their opponents having lost to Dungourney, the defeated side will be all but out of contention.
In contrast, the Valleys-Dungourney meeting in Blarney at 4pm on Sunday will offer the chance for the winners to take a giant step towards qualification. It’s a similar situation for Cloyne and Ballymartle, who meet in Group 1 in Cobh today at 4.30pm, both sides on two points.
Kilworth overcame Castlemartyr in Group 2 while Ballincollig lost to Ballinhassig and Rathcormac is the venue at 6.30pm this evening. The Ballinhassig-Castlemartyr game takes place at 2.15pm tomorrow in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Castlelyons v Ballyhea, Kildorrery; Bishopstown v Inniscarra, Ballymah; Watergrasshill v Blarney, Grenagh.
Cloyne v Ballymartle, Cobh, 4.30pm; Kilworth v Ballincollig, Rathcormac.
Carrigtwohill v Na Piarsaigh, Páirc Uí Rinn, 4pm.
Ballinhassig v Castlemartyr, Páirc Uí Rinn, 2.15pm; Mallow v Lisgoold, Castlelyons, 1.30pm; Valley Rovers v Dungourney, Blarney, 4pm.
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