Watergrasshill survive late Aghada surge to reach U21 B HC final
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Watergrasshill survive late Aghada surge to reach U21 B HC final
- Nov 14,2026
Mulcahy Steel U21 B Hurling Championship semi-final
Watergrasshill 2-16
Aghada 2-13
Watergrasshill have secured their place in the Mulcahy Steel U21 B Hurling Championship final, but were made to sweat late on as Aghada fought back in Dungourney on Wednesday night.
Ten points clear with five minutes of normal time remaining, the Hill conceded 2-2 in a frantic finish and were glad to hear the final whistle with three to spare.
They had gotten off to a perfect start. Ciaran Linehan found the net in the opening minute, and points from Tadhg McCarthy, Liam Foley and Jack Counihan had them 1-3 to no score ahead inside three minutes.
Jayden Hennebry raised a second green flag in the sixth minute, and when Cathal Sheehan landed a fine point from wing-back, Watergrasshill were well on their way. By the 18th minute, the gap was out to nine.
Aghada finally found their feet with four points in as many minutes, with Tom Walsh – who finished with 0-6, five from frees – leading the response. Watergrasshill steadied with three on the bounce to go in eight clear at the break.
The margin hovered at eight or nine for most of the second half. Adam Casey and Billy Ryan were outstanding in the Watergrasshill full-back line, Ryan Loftus hurled a world of ball at centre-back, and Mike O’Riordan and Counihan worked tirelessly throughout.
Mick O’Driscoll, back playing this championship after almost two years out through injury, continued his return in goal for Watergrasshill.
When the Hill pushed 10 clear in the 55th minute, the contest looked over. Aghada had other ideas.
Substitute Matthew Condon and centre-back Fionn O’Connor both found the net as Aghada hit 2-2 in the final four minutes. Watergrasshill, feeling the effects of Sunday’s football meeting with Glenville, managed a single point in reply – but it was enough to get them over the line.
Aghada were the better side after the break, with Ronan Devoy and Colm O’Donoghue excellent in defence and midfielders Andrew Murphy and Tomas Condon never stopping running. Kaylan Cunningham also impressed off the bench, but their slow start ultimately proved too costly.
Watergrasshill now advance to the final, where they will face the winner of Youghal and Lisgoold next weekend.
Scorers for Watergrasshill: T McCarthy 0-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 65), J Hennebry 1-1, L Foley 0-3, C Linehan 1-0, J Counihan, C O’Leary 0-2 each, D Barry, C Sheehan, M O’Riordan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Aghada: T Walsh 0-6 (0-5 f), M Condon, F O’Connor 1-0 each, J Devoy, T Condon 0-2 each, H Mulcahy, N Devoy, I Oosthuizen 0-1 each.
Watergrasshill
1. Mick O’Driscoll
2. Adam Casey, 3. Billy Ryan, 4. Conor O’Mahony
5. Dave Barry, 6. Ryan Loftus, 7. Cathal Sheehan
8. Jack Counihan, 9. Cathal O’Brien
10. Ciaran O’Leary, 11. Mike O’Riordan, 12. Liam Foley
13. Jayden Hennebry, 14. Ciaran Linehan, 15. Tadhg McCarthy
Subs: 17. Eoghan Forde for O’Brien (37), 18. Ciaran O'Riordan for O’Mahony (52)
Aghada
16. John Walsh
4. Conor Geary, 3. Ronan Devoy, 19. Aaron Kearns
5. James Motherway, 6. Fionn O’Connor, 8. Colm O’Donoghue
2. Andrew Murphy, 7. Tomas Condon
10. James Hurley, 11. Noah Devoy, 12. Hugh Mulcahy
13. Isaac Oosthuizen, 14. Jude Devoy, 15. Tom Walsh
Subs: 17. David Wallace, 21. Matthew Condon, 30. Kaylan Cunningham, 18. Evan Crowley
Referee: Arthur Murphy (Killeagh)
