Watergrasshill have too much firepower for Ballyhea in tough SAHC tie

Watergrasshill 1-23 Ballyhea 1-17

Watergrasshill got their Co-op Superstores SAHC campaign off to a winning start at Kildorrery on Saturday night.

Overall, they were the better side and were deserving winners, but will also be conscious they shot 15 wides over the hour and will have to improve on that for their next game against Castlelyons, who lost to Blarney in their opener, on August 23.

The winners had several impressive displays, with their half-back line of Ryan Loftus, Cork hurler Daire O’Leary and Kevin O’Neill the platform. They had a punch up front, despite the wides, with Adam Murphy landing an impressive haul of six points from play.

Tom Hanley opened the scoring for Ballyhea in the second minute, but the Hill’s response was instant. Straight from the restart, they worked the ball down the pitch, with Sean Desmond finding the back of the net.

Patrick Daly put Ballyhea back in front, before Adam Murphy replied at the other end. Pa O’Callaghan pointed from a free for Ballyhea, with Hanley on target again to see the sides level, 0-4 to 1-1 after six minutes.

Shane O’Regan put Watergrasshill in front from a free, with Daire O’Leary adding another to stretch their lead. O’Regan, from a free, and Ciaran O’Leary added points as the Hill lead by 1-5 to 0-5 after 10 minutes.

Dean Copps and Murphy exchanged scores before Aidan Foley denied Ballyhea a goal. Eugene O’Learly was through on goal, but Foley was quickly off his line to deny him a green flag.

O’Regan and Daly scored with Murphy also on target as the Hill. But late points from Daly and Hanley had only the goal between them at the break as the Hill led by 1-9 to 0-9 at half time.

Daly got the first score after the restart, with O’Regan replying for the Hill. Foley increased their lead as the keeper scored from distance from a free as the Hill lead by 1-12 to 0-11 with 40 minutes gone.

Hanley and O’Regan exchanged scores before Patrick Cronin scored with his first touch after coming on as a sub. Points from O’Regan and Murphy saw the Hill 1-17 to 0-13 to the good with eight minutes of normal time left.

Kieran Morrissey and Daly reduced the deficit and by the time we reached the 60th minute it was 1-19 to 0-16.

In injury time, Cathal Crowley goaled for Ballyhea, but the Hill responded with two late points to run out deserving winners. They were victorious in two group games last year but were squeezed out by Bride Rovers and Blarney and didn't qualify. 

With this victory they're in the mix again and could go straight through if they beat last year's runners-up Castlelyons at the end of the month.

Scorers for Watergrasshill: S O'Regan 0-8 (0-5 f), A Murphy 0-6, S Desmond 1-2, C O’Leary 0-2, D O’Leary, B Lehane, A Foley (f), P Cronin, K O’Neill 0-1 each.

Ballyhea: P Daly 0-8 (0-6 f, 0-1 65), T Hanley 0-5, C Crowley 1-0, P O’Callaghan (f), D Copps, K Morrissey, E O’Leary 0-1 each.

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

Subs: P Cronin for C Cronin, A Cronin for A Spriggs (both 47), R Murray for I O’Callaghan (53).

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, L Hanley, C Crowley; W Carroll, T Hanley, J Copps; M O’Sullivan, N Crowley; C Cox, P O’Callaghan, T Hanley; D Copps, E O’Leary, P Daly.

Subs: G Morrissey for P O’Callaghan (23), J Hennessy for N Crowley (29), K Copps for J Copps (37), K Morrissey for D Copps (41), J Lynch for C Cox (57).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy, Aghabullogue.