'It is such a boost': Sarsfields return to Riverstown a year on from Storm Babet devastation
Storm Mccarthy At During Flooding Babet File Garvan Gaa's Sarsfield Club Picture:
Sarsfields players turned up for training early last Sunday morning with a pep in their step. It was a red-letter day for the reigning champions as they returned to their Riverstown pitch for the first time in a year.
A few days after the 2023 final, Storm Babet extensively damaged their facilities, and while they remain extremely grateful to the clubs who offered the use of their grounds, there is no place like home.
Everywhere looked resplendent, the pitch was in pristine condition, while the astro surface was well tested by budding hurlers waiting to meet their heroes.
“Everyone was looking forward to it all week,” Conor O’Sullivan beamed.
“We’re here for the remainder of the week as well and that is testament to the work everyone has done in the club and the lads working on the pitch. It is such a boost.
“It’s funny, we were coming into the dressing room where everyone used to have their spot. So where do we sit again? We couldn’t remember but we all gravitated towards where we used to, like we never left.
“It (Storm Babet) was a shock. It was an unbelievable week in the sense we won the county and the girls won the camogie county the following week and then sandwiched in the middle you had the storm. A surreal week in general. Since then, it’s obviously not been without its challenges. And to finally get back to our own pitch today.
“There is something positive as well in that hardship travelling around the place, you get to see things from a different perspective.”
Conor had the distinction of accepting the Seán Óg Murphy Cup last October. There was no shortage of work-rate in his effort to get back on the field after he was sidelined with injury, a testament to his character that he made it up those steps.
No wonder he is skipper again this campaign, and thankfully he’s in good shape.
“The silver lining last year was Cathal (McCarthy) came in, he was the best player in the championship. And it’s the reverse this year. Cathal has had a tough year with injuries and I’ve been fortunate enough, touch wood, to stay injury-free. It makes it easier if you can stay injury free, everything else falls into place. Really feeling blessed to be fit and healthy now.”
If Sars get the better of Imokilly on Sunday, it will be a sixth senior medal for Conor. The first four were in ’08, ’10, ’12 and ’14.
“We had it so good in the early part of the decade, thought it was never going to end. One every two or three years if you average it out, but it was obviously lopsided to the front part of my career.
"You think it is never going to end when you’re that age, it almost felt automatic that we would be in a county final every year back then. Those middle years, they were tough a lot of the time, bad defeats.
“It all went towards building for last year, so it was worth it in the end. To get over the line. It was some fellas fifth and some fellas first, it meant as much to everyone. And everyone around Glanmire as well.
“Last year was just magic.” And to win with his best friends.
“Craig (Leahy), the twins (Daniel and William Kearney), my brother (Eoin), Daniel Roche and Gary Gray are my close group of friends. We’re so lucky to still be playing, most of us were on the U12 and U13 teams.
"Sars just kept us as a core, it’s been the one constant through our childhood and adult life and it has given so much and kept us together. No one has emigrated. I’m absolutely blessed with the group of friends I have and blessed with Sars as a club as well.”
Regardless of the outcome this weekend, Sars will head into the Munster club championship.
“I don’t even want to think about going into the Munster club without winning the county. We are 100% focused on next Sunday against Imokilly, I don’t think there is anyone looking beyond that.
"They are the form team in the championship. We’re giving them all the respect they deserve.”