Premier 1 MHC: Bound by grief, solidarity saw Sarsfields through tough times

As a club, Sarsfields suffered the most tragic of blows in February of this year when Ray Ryan died.

Their minor side felt the loss in its most basic sense, while they also lost an invaluable member of their management. In that regard, managing to piece together an unbeaten season, culminating in Monday’s Rebel Óg Premer 1 MHC final win over Midleton, was a fitting tribute but also a remarkable achievement, considering what they were trying to process.

Selector Kieran Murphy felt that constant co-operation and mutual assistance helped to bring about the successful outcome.

“Right from the get-go, we put a lot of emphasis on trying to win the league,” he said, “and we've gone through the year unbeaten – we didn't lose a game all year, be it challenge games, league games, or championship.

“That was a massive focus for us. Every time we go, it's just represent the group, represent everybody who's been involved with the group, and put our best foot forward and see where that brings us.

“We're very fortunate, we've a lot of experience on the sideline in terms of Bertie Óg [Murphy], Cormac Duggan, Daniel Roche, who are all teachers.

“But I'd like to give special mention to Liam Herlihy, who came in from the outside and gave us a help when we needed it, and was always there in the background. He barely missed a session with us, but his help was really vital.”

Ultimately, it came down to actions on the field and Murphy couldn’t fault his charges.

“This is about the players, the performance that they deliver,” he said.

“They've been like that all year. We just asked for hard work, and they got us.

“This group had a great year between hurling and football, and the football management worked really well.

“We gave them time, they gave us time. Because week on week, it's very tough for the players, but in fairness, without their co-operation, it wouldn't have been done.”

After starting well on Monday, Sars briefly fell behind at 1-4 to 0-6 but responded to that with four straight points and led by 0-13 to 1-6 at half-time. In the second half, the lead never fell below four points and they won by 0-21 to 1-11.

Murphy pinpointed the strong response to the concession of the goal.

“That's something that Daniel Roche has been working really hard with them,” he says.

“Conceding the goal, just a positive response to it afterwards.

“That was key, because it was at a time when we were probably on top, and then they get the goal. If they got another couple of scores, it could have been different, but luckily we got the next four scores.

“Our shot-selection in the first half wasn't good enough, so we were just telling the lads, rather than going down the line, cut back in, and maybe just take your man on.

“We got turned over a few times doing that, but at least it was positive.”

And now, having underlined their promise, the challenge is for these young players to kick on.

“The big thing is that obviously you want to win the minor,” Murphy said, “and you love it when you're there and stuff like that, but it's about bringing through players.

“I just think back to that Daniel Kearney and Craig Leahy team [2007]. They were the ones that drove us through the first county and we're looking for these young fellas here then to drive the next bunch, because there's a couple of old fellas in the senior team that'll need moving on!”