Ace county forward explains how Storm Babet disaster helped propel club to glory
Sarsfields' facilities were destroyed after they allowed the grounds to be used for flood relief last year
Cork star Jack O’Connor says that the havoc wreaked by Storm Babet last year has pulled the Sarsfields club closer together.
Fourteen months ago, the club made the ultimate sacrifice as water engulfed the Glanmire community, opening two gates at their Riverstown home in order to relieve flooding in the area, essentially turning their pitches into a flood plain and saving local businesses and homes. It led to extensive damage, with the bill running to €1.2m in costs, but their pitches are now open again and, although they relinquished their Cork SHC title this year, they still got to represent the county in the Munster Championship, which they won for the first time ever this month.
And last Sunday they beat Slaughtneil to reach next month’s All-Ireland club final against Na Fianna of Dublin, with O’Connor in sparkling form as he hit 0-4 from play.
READ MORE:Sarsfields boss pays tribute to 'proudest angel in the sky' as Cork champions squeeze into final
He explained: “After the flood, it made everyone come closer again. It’s such a close-knit community, not just the club, just everyone in general, people who are directly or indirectly involved.
“Everyone is behind us now as a club, players and management. It’s been an incredible journey.”
O’Connor paid tribute to the management team of Johnny Crowley, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Joe Barry, Darren Kenneally and Eoin Quigley for turning the senior team’s fortunes around.
“In fairness to Sully, Johnny, Joe, Quigley, Darren, what they have done for us over the last two years has been incredible. They have turned the whole thing on its head.
“Since I started my club career with Sars, I had little to no success really and now look where we are, two county finals, a Munster final and an All-Ireland final. It’s just incredible. They have been outstanding.”
The All-Ireland final won’t take place until January 19, by which time Cork will be well advanced in their preparation for the Allianz League, though O’Connor doesn’t expect to hear from county boss and Sars clubmate Pat Ryan any time soon.
“I hope I don’t see him now for another while,” he laughed. “To be honest, it’s a good thing. It’s a break, really, because we’ve been on the go now nearly 13 months so it’s a good break.
“We might get a few days off and go back at it then. It’s a different Christmas but an unbelievable Christmas to enjoy and something to look forward to in the new year as well.”
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