Desmond leads the way as Watergrasshill book All-Ireland decider spot

The win continued a remarkable season for the Cork champions, unbeaten in club and province, and with three trophies in the cabinet they are now just 60 minutes from All-Ireland success.

Victory was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests as Watergrasshill produced a top class display and had all but booked their final spot when leading 1-11 to 0-5 after playing into a stiff breeze in the opening half.

The Antrim champions started with two pointed frees from Conall McGlynn but they were soon off the pace as Eddie Enright’s charges settled into the game and played some superb hurling to which their opponents had no answer.

Their superior physically was evident throughout the pitch and their ability to create and take scores left Carey Faughs on the back foot after a close opening quarter.

Watergrasshill hit three wides before full forward Sean Desmond set them on their way after grabbing possession, turning his marker and blasted to the net on 11 minutes to give the Leesiders a lead they never subsequently relinquished.

With power and pace in attack Watergrasshill tormented the Carey Faughs defence throughout the half with Desmond adding two points, Brendan Lehane accounting for three and Adam Murphy hitting four, including three from frees.

Eight successive points in a 10 minute spell in the second quarter helped open up a 1-10 to 0-4 lead.

Caolan McCaughan and Connor McBride both pointed from play while McGlynn added another point to his tally from a free for the Glensmen in that first half. However they never seriously troubled a Watergrasshill rearguard where Daire O’Leary, Dylan McCarthy and Kevin O’Neill were outstanding.

The Leesiders resumed where they left off in the opening half with a brace of points from Desmond and one each from Ian O’Callaghan and Adam Murphy before McGlynn converted another free for Carey Faughs on 40 minutes.

In total control of proceedings Watergrasshill could afford to empty their bench in the final quarter as they set up a final meeting with Galway champions Tynagh Abbey Duniry.

The outstanding Desmond took his tally to 1-5 before the finish while Murphy accounted for eight points. Carey Faughs only score from play for the second half came from Connor McBride close to the finish.

Scorers for Watergrasshill: S Desmond (1-5), A Murphy (0-8, 7fs), B Lehane (0-3), P O’Leary, S O’Regan, A Cronin, D O’Leary, I O’Callaghan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Carey Faughs: C McGlynn (0-4, 4fs), C McBride (0-2), C Kane (f), C McCaughan (0-1 each).

WATERGRASSHILL: A Foley; S Field, D McCarthy, I O’Callaghan; D Roche, D O’Leary, K O’Neill; A Cronin, A Spriggs; S O’Regan, A Murphy, C O’Leary; B Lehane, S Desmond, P O’Leary. Subs: J Foley for A Foley (38), L Foley for C O’Leary (42), J Gowen for Spriggs (47), P Cronin for O’Callaghan (48), J McCarthy for Murphy (54).

CAREY FAUGHS: McGinn; Z McCaughan, S McBride, P Gillan; J McBride, J McCouaig, S Hunter; P Butler, M McVeigh; C McGlynn, C McCaughan, C McBride; J Black, C McKinley, C Cane. Subs – F McVeigh for Black (29), E Hill for Gillan (42), E McKinley for C McBride, C McKiernan for Hunter, S Mathers for C McKinley (all 59).

Referee: C Daly (Kildare)