Hurling late developer Cian Darcy on going from Sars minor B team to senior captain

Sarsfield’s hurling club have produced many top-class hurlers over the years, including last year’s captain Cian Darcy.

Soccer was Darcy's original sport but once he got involved with hurling as a 16-year-old, he never looked back.

“I played soccer from a young age with Riverstown before moving to Rockmount and I went to Cobh Ramblers but I eventually fell out of love with the game,” Darcy explained.

Sitting at home in Glanmire and the arrival of the late legendary Teddy McCarthy changed the whole direction that Darcy was going.

“Teddy was dad’s best man at his wedding and as a regular visitor to my house. We were really close and he convinced to give hurling a go at the age of 16 in 2015."

A trip to Sars pitch at Buck Leary’s cross was the next destination for Cian.

“It was a wet, windy evening going up to John Barry’s U16 team and the rest is history. 

I started with the B team and even the next season the numbers were so big in Sars that I didn’t make the minor A team.” 

When he was on the age at minor, he captained the B team and, a late developer, failed to make the Premier team.

“When I came out of minor I was doing my Leaving Certificate and my goal was to try and make it to the top tier as I could see my hurling was improving. I started playing with the Junior B team in the club.” 

Sars landed the Junior B county championship in 2017 and the U21 B title. Darcy ended up scoring 2-6 in the final against Killashannig.

In the U21 Premier tier, Sars took on Blackrock and that clash proved to be his breakthrough.

“We had Paul Leopold, Jack O’Connor and Liam Healy all missing with injuries. I took the opportunity and played one of my best games ever in a Sars jersey and looking back, that performance opened the door for me.

“We went on to win the U21 county that year and I came on in the final before moving on to the intermediate team.” 

IMPACT

In 2018, he made his senior championship debut against Carrigtwohill and has been part of the panel since. It took until 2020 for him to begin making a significant impact.

Sars endured a few low-key seasons and, in 2022, a heavy defeat to St Finbarr’s set the alarm bells ringing at the Riverstown club.

At one stage, many of the lads including myself were wondering were we ever going to make an impact again at senior level. 

"It all changed for the better when Johnny Crowley and Diarmuid O’Sullivan took over.” 

They've thrived since.

“We have won two counties, a Munster club, three leagues and reached the All-Ireland club final. Despite the disappointment that day, it was an honour to play at GAA headquarters.” 

The first anniversary of Ray Ryan was this week, and Darcy could never forget his impact over many years.

“I remember the day after the All-Ireland club final loss and feeling the lowest in my short career because we simply didn’t perform.

“I sat in my kitchen with tears running down my face, but Ray convinced me that one game doesn’t define a player and I needed to get back on the horse and get at it again.” 

Last season, captaining Sars to a county and league success was a joy to behold for Darcy. A call-up to the Cork squad for preseason games put the icing on the cake.

“I was with Ben O’Connor and his team for the winter and look I did my best but didn’t make the cut. Such is life, I gave my all at a very high level and I suppose it was an opportunity I thought would never come my way.” 

Sars are now concentrating on their league which starts at the outset of March. 

“We will be without Barry O’Flynn for the league as he’s involved with the Cork U20s and Evan Murphy will be involved with the Kerry hurling team but hopefully Conor McCarthy will be back from his cruciate injury in the summer.” 

Douglas, Charleville and Newtownshandrum await Sars in the championship.

“All we worry about at Sars is our own game as we take little notice to outside rumblings so upwards and onwards and let’s see where it takes us."