Sarsfields and Seandún ready to serve up another cracking camogie final

IT’S always a pleasure to talk to club players before a county final, players you don’t know on a personal level.

I spoke with Sarsfields’ Niamh O’Callaghan and Seandún captain Maeve Scannell of Bishopstown and one was as pleasant and humble as the other.

Niamh took a year out in 2022 for personal reasons. Having got married at the start of this season, she missed the first two games of the group, but is back as a key cog in Sarsfields’ wheel. She was a spectator 12 months ago

I watched the final from the bank, that was tough. But I suppose there’s great learnings from that game too.

“I know there’s a different panel but also a lot of the same girls with Seandún so there’s good learnings there.”

Sars seem to be playing with greater confidence.

“Yeah, and enjoying it too. We’re all really enjoying it and that comes through when we’re playing which is important.

“There’s a good mixture there, ourselves that have been here for years and there’s a great bunch of young girls, my God the talent that’s there, it’s scary, so yeah there’s a great blend at the moment.”

Looking back on Sars first title in 30 years in 2019 Niamh smiles broadly as she recalls the memory.

“Just very fond memories of it, it was such a relief to get over the line and bring the cup back to Sars because we put an awful lot into that year.”

Did she think they’d still be waiting for another title?

“I think Covid had a huge impact on us that way. I think it changed an awful lot of girl’s perspectives.

“Some were more interested in going off and enjoying themselves and you can’t blame them. We found it hard to get back into it really. We played Seandún here in the semi-final that year (2021) and I think on reflection we did well to even get to the semi-final.

“But after that we knew ourselves we were nowhere near where we were capable of being and it’s great to see, last year watching it, and now being involved again, that we’ve pulled our socks up basically.

“That’s down to management as well.

“We’re under no illusions of the talent that’s there (in Seandún) and the quality, you can’t deny that and you’ve to give those girls the respect they’re due.

“I played with them for years myself. But this is where you want to be and for us it didn’t matter who we were coming up against, we’re delighted to be here and to get that chance.

“There is a great balance to our team and we hope that’ll stand to us. We’re under no illusions what’s ahead but it’s a great challenge.”

HIGH STANDARD

Maeve is very grateful for the position she is in, captaining the three-in-a-row-seeking divisional side.

“It's been playing with Seandún for years, ever since I was a teenager. I’m really lucky to have it as obviously with my club Bishopstown, we’re junior, so it’s really nice to get the opportunity to play with a senior team.

“When you’re playing junior you’d be wondering what the standard is for senior so it’s great to have the opportunity to play like that. And sure I wouldn’t have two senior county medals if it wasn’t for Seandún so I’m very fortunate.”

Maeve was called back into the Seandún setup after returning from New Zealand in 2019. 2020 was the year Seandún made their breakthrough as they now seek three in a row.

“Oh my gosh, it was amazing winning a county senior, it doesn’t any better so we had great celebrations but we were only starting to get to know each other then.

“Obviously bringing clubs together brings its own challenges but we’ve really been building for the last three or four years and now it really does feel like one club. 

At times this year, it hasn’t clicked for us. We had less matches in the group stage this year, just playing Carbery.

“So with just three championship games behind us I’m glad we had a battle against Cloughduv, who are a very good side, and it was only the last ten minutes when it came together for us.

“But as our manager Trevor Coleman said we do step up when it matters and we do dig deep and that’s what we did. I’ve every confidence in our team.”