Sars star forward Aaron Myers will miss club campaign

It's never easy to say goodbye to family, friends, and the sport you love, but for Sarsfield’s Aaron Myers Australia beckons next week for the popular hurler.

Joining the Sars academy as a six-year-old, encouraged by his father Barry, he soon showed that he had the skills to play at the top tier. The early years in Sars were a little frustrating for Myers as he explains.

“The team that I played with from U12 all the way up to minor were tagged as the ‘nearly side’ because we were pipped in a Féile final and the U16 county final, losing to Blackrock on both occasions.

“We had a good group of players including Paul Leopold, James Sweeney, and Jack O’Connor, but I would like to think we improved as we matured."

After a few frustrating defeats, Sars finally broke through at minor level.

“We defeated Killeagh after a replay in 2014, but the following year we lost another one to Douglas.

BOOST

“The good thing was in 2017, at U21 level, we won the county with the same group of players that had won the minor county against Killeagh, so that was a huge boost for the club.”

Like the majority of young hurlers in this city and county, Myers was determined to play at the top tier and in 2017 he made the senior squad. A senior county medal came in 2023 and there was disappointment last season when they lost to Imokilly in the final.

“I think, looking back, we struggled in the Covid years losing championship games when it was knock-out, but I think the appointment of Johnny Crowley and his coaching staff turned the tide for us.”

Last season, defeating the crack Ballygunner side in the Munster Club Championship final was a major achievement despite losing to Na Fianna in the All- Ireland final.

There is a savage team spirit in our squad and that’s crucial if you want to be successful at this level, and I know the lads will be ready for the forthcoming championship.”

The recent sudden death of Ray Ryan was felt badly in Sars and Myers reflected on his time with him.

“I would have been very close to Ray because when I broke into the senior squad; he would have taken me under his wing and he always gave me confidence to drive on and express myself.

“To be honest I think nearly everybody in our club would have had a good relationship with Ray and there is no doubt he is a huge loss to his family and all of us who had the pleasure to know him.”

Myers played with Cork at U21 level in 2018 and 2019 but, in his own words, never threatened to make the senior team.

“Last year I did get a call but opted to travel to Boston to play summer hurling and I really enjoyed that experience; probably the reason I am heading to Australia.

“The bottom line is that I am 28 in June and I think this is the time to try something new, as I didn’t want to be travelling there in my 30s, but who knows what the future holds.”

Myers has played the majority of league games with Sars and believes his side will be competitive in the championship.

“I think we have blooded a few new players like Barry O’Flynn our Cork U20, and he definitely looks a player for the future.”

Sars are pitted against Glen Rovers, Erin’s Own and Fr O’Neill’s in the group stages, but Myers believes his team will be up for battle.

“Without repeating myself Johnny Crowley is a manager who instills belief and confidence into our team and if we get it right on the day I don’t think we should fear any side in the county.

“The Cork Senior Championship is always competitive and there will be plenty of teams right now thinking they can do the business.”

So how does Myers see Sars group panning out?

“The Glen are probably the dark horses and the inclusion of Micheál Mullins will make them a much stronger unit, coupled with some good young players coming through.

“Fr O’Neill’s will always be competitive and when we play Erin’s Own anything goes in a derby clash, but sadly I will miss the cut and thrust of this great championship.”

There is little doubt Myers will be missed in the Sars’ camp, but we wish him well in his next adventure and hopefully he will return to don the jersey again.