Carrigaline GAA returned to SuperValu Páirc Uí Caoimh this Sunday, but this time their fate was in the hands of their hurling team who hoped to lift the Seamus Long Cup and be crowned Premier Intermediate Hurling champions for 2024.
Carrigaline 0-19
Watergrasshill 2-16
Watergrasshill took an early lead when captain Sean Desmond took advantage of poor defending and got passed Rob Foster in goal. Carrigaline replied immediately when Brian Kelleher got his first point of the day from a free when David Drake was fouled. Moments later Drake added two points in succession to level the game. Watergrasshill broke ahead again and lead by two points. Éanna Desmond brought it back to a point and another free cooly taken by Kelleher saw it level again.
The first half quickly became a game of cat and mouse between both sides. Watergrasshill never trailed too far in front and scores from Rob O’Shea and Drake brought it to 1-05 to 0-08 with 19 minutes gone.
Despite spending most of the half trying to play catch-up, it was Carrigaline who ended the first half with a one point advantage. Kelleher, Drake and midfielder Dan Greene raised the white flags to finish the half 0-12 to 1-8 in favour of Carrigaline.
Rhys McCarthy opened the scoring in a nail biting second half with another point for Carrigaline. It was point for point as Watergrasshill began to lack composure. When a foolish pass was sent back to Aiden Foley in the Watergrasshill goal, Kelleher had Carrigaline’s only real chance on goal but the ball was sent wide for a 45. Desmond converted the point and Carrigaline led by two.
With just under ten minutes to go, Sean Desmond rattled the Carrigaline net once more as Watergrasshill enjoyed a scoring spree. Determined not to leave the double dream die, Desmond Kelleher and David Griffin added more points to close the gap but momentum was on Watergrasshills back as the clock ran out, scoring 1-05 without reply.
Following three minutes of injury time, réiteoir Simon Stokes blew the whistle and Watergrasshill were declared champions on a score of 2-16 to 0-19.
An early goal cost Carrigaline the double despite a strong performance particularly in the middle of the park. A solid Watergrasshill backline denied Carrigaline of any real goal scoring opportunities. It wasn’t to be for Carrigaline as they returned home trophy-less, while Watergrasshill move up to Senior A.
Scorers for Carrigaline: B Kelleher (0-8, 0-6 frees); D Drake, D Griffin, E Desmond (0-3 each); R McCarthy, R O’Shea (0-1 each).
CARRIGALINE: R Foster; S Williamson, D King, D Stack; C Barry, D Griffin, C Vaughan; R Kelleher, E Desmond; R McCarthy, D Greene, R O’Shea; B Kelleher, C Kearney, D Drake, C McCarthy, K O’Reilly, F O’Connell, P Mellett, N O’Keeffe, H Andrews, K Dwane, I O’Donoghue, S O’Brien, J Torpey, S Buckley, E Kirwin, K Kavanagh, W O’Neill, L Cronin, S Browne, P Ronayne, J Greally, C O’Donovan,
A Barry, K Kavanagh
Manager: Eddie Murphy Assistant Manager/Selector: Liam Walsh Assistant Coach/Selector: Michael Dowd Selectors: Colm Harrington, Anthony Desmond Goalkeeping coach: Kevin Roche Backroom: Pat Barry Performance Analysis: Michael Webb, Liam Ahern Physio: Shauna Roche
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