July Award- SARSFIELD U14 CAMOGIE TEAM

Rebel Og Sarsfields 3

Rebel Og Sarsfields 1a

SARSFIELD U14 CAMOGIE TEAM

Winners of National Division 1 John West Féile na nGael Title 2016

The July winners of the Rebel Óg Monthly Awards for 2016 sponsored by the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cummins Sports (Award Sponsors) with RedFM and Irish Examiner Media Partners are SARSFIELD CAMOGIE TEAM. They follow the January, February, March, April, May & June 2016 winners Glen Rovers U14 Hurlers, Mizen Rovers, Mitchelstown CBS, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál Blarney, Kilmurry Footballers and Buttevant Underage GAA Club plus 2015 winners, Ahán Gaels, Midleton U15 Footballers, Cork’s Eimear Scally, Aghabullogue U16 Hurlers, Cork U15 Development Squad, Douglas U14 Footballers, St. Finbarrs U14 Hurlers, Christian Brothers Cork, Coláiste Chríost Rí, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh (Camogie) Sacred Heart Clonakilty (Camogie) and Ilen Rovers.

SARSFIELDS 2016 FEILE NA NGAEL CAMOGIE CAMPAIGN

The Sarsfield panel departed from their clubhouse in Riverstown on Friday 17th June @ 3.45pm. Initial destination was Dundrum, Tipperary for an opening match against Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams. From there the team would move to their host club Eire Og Annacarty where they would play the remaining group games.

The Sarsfield team won their first game against Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-4 to 1-1 and once this match was over the team boarded the bus and drove the short distance to Annacarty playing a second match that night against the Kilkenny champions Thomastown. There was never very much between the two teams, both defences were excellent, midfields were equal and forwards were getting no space. This game finished level 0-6 each. This was probably a fair result on the balance of things.

On Saturday morning the girls all returned to the Annacarty pitch well rested. As a result of the draw the previous night Sars potentially had a trip to Gaultier, Waterford but only if they won their remaining match against the host club, which they did 2-5 to 1-2 but once all results were in and score difference taken into account the squad faced the two hour journey to Gaultier, Waterford.

Arriving in Gaultier at 2.55pm - 5mins before throw in where Feakle/Killanena (Clare) were awaiting, after some phone calls the match was put back 15mins to allow for the trek Sars had undertaken. The girls looked relaxed and an excellent opening first 10mins set the tone for the rest of the match. The opposition were strong but we moved the sliothar fast allowing our dangerous forwards to get on the ball and we ran out 2-8 to 0-5 winners earning a place in the semi-final. So back on the bus for our semi-final in Clonmel Og’s grounds against Bunclody (Wexford) – throw in @ 6.30pm.

On arrival the team were met with the news that there were at least 4 teams all scheduled to play on one pitch. So after some further phone calls/discussions Sars were re-directed to the Clonmel Sports Ground for a 7.15pm throw in, boarding the bus yet again for a new destination, all parents and supporters following on.

The club had some concerns that the amount of travelling would eventually catch up on the team but they were so focused and determined to put in a decent performance and give themselves every chance to make the final.

Semi Final:

Started the stronger, enjoying a large amount of possession but couldn’t translate that into scores, the first half flew by and Sars went in winning by the slimmest of margins despite all the ball they had. The team knew they just had to keep doing the same and in the 2nd half pulled away from the Bunclody team and won on a score of 4-2 to 0-0.

FINAL: Dungarvan was the venue and Sarsfield got the chance to become re-acquainted with fellow group opponents, Thomastown who they had drawn with the previous day in the qualifiers. We knew it would be another close affair. The girls were looking a bit tired, nervous and the choir wasn’t in full voice on the trip but once they reached Dungarvan they started to perk up.

In the dressing room before the match, lots of the girls spoke about what the weekend had meant to them and their families. They mentioned the effort their mums and dads had made to get them here, the training and hard work which the club had put in - it was an emotional but fiercely determined atmosphere. Running onto the pitch the noise from the Sars supporters was incredible. Right from the warm up the girls were calm and controlled and weren’t going to let this opportunity slip.

Thomastown as expected were just as determined as Sarsfield. They got the opening score from a free and Sars equalised from play before halftime. The rain hadn’t let up and the girls came in at half time knowing they had to improve if they were going to win.

Early in the 2nd half Sars got a goal which proved to be the decisive score and point just after to make it 1-2 to 0-1. Just like the group match, Thomastown pushed on and got the next 2 points which made it 1-2 to 0-3 with a few minutes to go. Thankfully on this occasion Sars scored another point and held on to the win by 1-3 to 0-3. The Feile title for 2016 was going back to Cork after a 7 year wait – the last club to win was Douglas in 2009.

Quote from Chairperson Gillian O’Callaghan:

This team of girls have always done Sars Camogie proud and it was no surprise when they won the Féile All Ireland. Their dedication to training is exemplary and their skill levels are superb. They have all come through the ranks of our nursery structure and I would like to give a quick mention to all the coaches that we have working with our underage girls. I would like to thank Conor, Allan & Mark for all the work that they have put in with this team and also to our Senior player Nicole Hickey who came on board with our buddy system which we are operating. Hopefully these girls will all go on to play senior with our club.

Quote From Managers:

“To win a National competition like Feile Na nGael takes a huge amount of hard work and dedication, these are the traits that describe this team perfectly.

They have always set the highest standards for themselves in training and this carries on into their matches.

Huge credit must go to the parents who ensure the girls attend training in such high numbers and everyone involved in our club, who have been nurturing these players since that day they joined.

Heading to the tournament we were conscious that the team was not representing Sarsfields Camogie Club but also our county. The girls discipline both on and off the pitch was exemplary and they should be very proud of that.

We were delighted and honoured to bring the title back to Cork and look forward to defending it next year”

Quote From Captain:

“I am very honoured to be captain of the 2016 All Ireland Div 1 Feile winning team. We could not have achieved this without such a hardworking and dedicated bunch of girls. Our coaches Allan, Conor, Mark and Nicole devoted their time to ensuring the team was the very best we could be. Their encouragement and enthusiasm lead us to a fantastic achievement, with a lot of fun along the way”.

The Sarsfield Camogie Team of Winners of National Division 1 John West Féile na nGael Title 2016