Watergrasshill into first Senior A semi-final after extra time classic with Ballinhassig
Watergrasshill’s Brendan Lehane clears under pressure against Ballnihassig in the Senior A quarter-final at Ovens. Picture: Chani Anderson
In one of the best club games witnessed for many years at the Ovens venue, Watergrasshill prevailed over a brave Ballinhassig side in the Co Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship.
This classic had the capacity attendance enthralled over 80 minutes, with extra time needed to decide the eventual semi-finalists.
Ballinhassig’s Ger Collins finished with a 1-16 tally but in comparison to the Hill, who had a better scoring spread, the newly-promoted side didn't have the extra firepower in their forwards.
Both sides died with their boots on but it was the intensity of Watergrasshill in extra time that ensured they booked a semi-final clash with Erin’s Own.
The early exchanges were played at a ferocious pace with Ballinhassig showing far more grit and after exchanging points in the opening two minutes, we then witnessed a Ballinhassig goal of sheer class. A terrific solo run by Brian Lynch saw him flick an excellent pass to Ger Collins who billowed the back of the net from close range.
Liam Foley did respond when he split the posts in the 11th minute that ended a seven-minute Watergrasshill drought but they were under pressure in many key departments. The hurling was crisp from the last two Premier Intermediate winners with Ballinhassig continuing to win the majority of dirty ball but in the 26th minute, Watergrasshill came mighty close to raising their first green flag.
Brendan Lehane got through on goal, but his shot saw Patrick Collins produce a magnificent save and when he followed up on his second attempt, Kevin Maguire blocked him in front of goal. A minute later, the Hill were rewarded when poor Ballinhassig defending allowed Sean Desmond drill a low shot to the corner of the net.
The pressure continued on Ballinhassig and a minute from the short whistle, they found a way through for a second goal. After playing some great defence for the majority of the half, the Hassig rearguard was breached again as Brendan Lehane found the net with relative ease.
A classy Adam Murphy point ensured Watergrasshill commanded a 2-10 to 1-11 interval lead.
On the restart, the tempo increased again and with Ger Collins continuing to punish the Hill with pinpoint free taking.
For long periods, the sides continue to trade points and when Shane O’Regan spilt the posts for his 11th white flag Watergrasshill moved into a two- point lead entering added time.
Credit to Ballinhassig, they simply wouldn’t give up and substitute Michael Collins brought the minimum between the teams.
As the Hill fans were praying for the final whistle, a late Ger Collins 65 ensured the teams ended on parity in normal time 1-25 to 2-22.
Into extra time and there is little doubt Watergrasshill had more energy, hoovering up a lot of breaks. With captain Sean Desmond playing a captain’s part they took a two-point lead into the second half of extra time.
In the closing period, Watergrasshill continued to dominate as the brave Ballinhassig challenge petered out after a truly epic encounter.
S O’Regan 0-11 (0-8 f), S Desmond 1-4, A Murphy 0-6 (0-3 f), B Lehane 1-3, L Foley 0-3, R Loftus, A Spriggs, A Foley, A Cremin 0-1 each.
G Collins 1-16 (0-14 f), S O’Neill 0-3, A O’Sullivan, B Lynch 0-2 each, B Lehane, C Grainger, P O’Regan, R Lombard, S Lombard, M Collins 0-1 each.
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, L Foley.
P Cronin for A Spriggs (34), A Cronin for C Cronin (45), B Ryan for D McCarthy (55), R Murray for L Foley (62), A Spriggs for R Loftus (62).
P Collins; E Lombard, K Maguire, J Lyne; C Kirby, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; C Grainger, J Grainger; G Collins, A O’Sullivan, E Cullinane; B Lynch, P O’Regan, S O’Neill.
R Lombard for J Grainger (40), S McCarthy for P O’Regan (48), S Lombard for S O’Neill (50), P O’Regan for C Grainger (66), D O’Donovan for J Lyne (68).
Niall Fahy (Brian Dillons).
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