Of Clubs Friendship' For Tribute Sars Pay Cork's 'hand After Rival Babet Flooding To Storm

Cork's Sars pay tribute to rival clubs for 'hand of friendship' after Storm Babet flooding — October In Glanmire, Saying Back' 'wele Been Anderson Floods Its Chani The Members, In Riverstown, By Bar Damaged Have The Storm Guests Sarsfields Had Reopened Club After To Severely And Which Cork, Co picture: Friends, Babet Gaa Been

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023 - 07:17

Pádraig Hoare

Cork's Premier Senior Hurling champions are on the rebound following the devastating Storm Babet floods, thanks to an "incredible collective response across Cork".

Rival clubs including neighbouring Erins Own, Bishopstown, Castlemartyr, and others have stepped up to help Sarsfields get back to their former glory, chairman Keith Mulcahy said.

Luke Delaney racks up 180 at the dartboard in the bar at Sarsfields GAA in Riverstown, Glanmire, Cork, which has reopened after severe flood damage caused during storm Babet. Picture: Chani Anderson

The hand of friendship extended by fellow Cork clubs in their hour of darkness will never be forgotten, according to Mr Mulcahy.

An act of sacrifice by the club mere days after being crowned as hurling champions of Cork led to disaster with its pitch being destroyed, as well as the gym, bar, and other facilities.

Aidan Hackett and Killian Murphy in the bar at Sarsfields Hurling Club. Picture: Chani Anderson

After being advised to evacuate as flood waters came from nowhere as Storm Babet raged, Sars opened its gates to relieve the water pressure on houses across the road that were becoming flooded.

The GAA Cork County Board, local people and businesses, and other clubs all rowed in behind Sarsfields GAA as the club picked up the pieces, Mr Mulcahy said.

Sarsfields GAA members selflessly allowed their main pitch to flood in order to mitigate potential damage elsewhere in Glanmire, Co Cork, during Storm Babet.

The club bar is thriving as people flocked back once it reopened, with the gym restocked and ready to go in the middle of January, followed by the astro in February, and all going well, the pitch in March.

Mr Mulcahy said: "The community across Cork has been superb.

Jim Foley and Anne-Marie Costello enjoying some Christmas cheer in the recently reopened bar at Sarsfields Hurling Club in Glanmire. Picture: Chani Anderson

"A lot of clubs that we wouldn't have had close relationships with have really extended the hand of friendship.

"Bishopstown gave us the astro pitch for our juvenile teams with no charge, a huge weight off our shoulders.

Aidan Hogan and Ivor Croker raise a glass in the bar of Sarsfields GAA club which has reopened after it was damaged by Storm Babet. Picture: Chani Anderson

"Glanmire Community School, local businesses, other clubs — the phone is still ringing two months later with people wanting to see can they still help out.