The View: Sars on the double; Maher departs; and how clubs stand up when needed
By Noel Dundon
Over a weekend of much hurling action, two things really stuck out – one related to on-field activity; one related to off-field activity.
To the on-field first and the final pairing for the FBD Insurance County senior hurling final – probably the expected pairing following the draws which pitted Sarsfields against Loughmore Castleiney and Kiladangan against Toomevara. The final on October 15th will promise much but you’d be reluctant to write it up as being a definite classic. Games between these pairs have been very mixed – Sarsfields won a very good semi-final against Kiladangan two years ago, but up to that the championship games had been one-sided enough. This one does feel different though and you’d hoping that a great final could be in store. More about that next week though.
Sarsfields reaching the Premier Intermediate final is a wonderful achievement for the club. To have two teams dining at the top table is quite incredible and should not be overlooked. However, does the Blues success perhaps reflect a slip in standard of the other sides – all first teams in the respective clubs remember?
Sarsfields defeated a Killenaule team in the semi-final which was ‘Bubbles-less’ and which drove sixteen wides. They scored three second half goals but still could not see out the victory because Sarsfields were simply more efficient in front of goal.
The standard of games in the premier intermediate grade has been very good with some very close contests. But, perhaps there is a bigger debate to be had here. Word is that if Sarsfields win the county final at premier intermediate level, they need not accept promotion as they already have a team in the senior grade. So, there could well be seventeen teams in the premier intermediate grade next year and just fifteen in the senior grade. Relegation will go ahead from the senior grade, I’m told, with either JK Brackens or Upperchurch Drombane set for the fall – this means that there will only be six senior teams in mid Tipperary in 2024 as well. However, if Sarsfields were to win and accept promotion they could have two senior teams in the top flight which would be quite historic in Tipperary.
Sarsfields played a lovely style of hurling against Killenaule but winning the final will be a different matter for them – to win it would be incredible affirmation of the clubs standing in the Premier County. But, it is up to others to raise their bar and get to that level too.
The value of club
To the off-field then. Over the course of the last few days we saw once again the contribution of the GAA community to the lives of those in need. In two separate divisions there were communities at a loss with unexpected bereavement and in both situations there was the GAA club and its members front and centre in helping out those who were bereaved. The sense of community fostered by the Association at grassroot level shines through when needed most. Just like in the club grounds on big match day; in the training field with juveniles; in the meitheal meetings when work needs to be done; the club people stand up and are counted.
Last weekend, as with most weekends of the year unfortunately, the GAA club stood up and was counted. The many small but necessary jobs were done; the catering looked after; the cars parked; the guards of honour performed; the flags and colours applied where appropriate. The essence of the GAA club is the people and it is the people who make things happen when the unimaginable happens. It is the people who mobilise the troops, make the arrangements, sort out the problems and ensure that the families who need them are embraced. Why? Because those being embraced are the very ones who would return the embrace 100 fold were the shoe to be on another foot.
Winning games and championships and titles is great and important for every club and parish. But, it’s not everything – everything is what the club means and the club means the people which make it. Standing tall and standing up when needed – that’s the real gift of the club. Thankfully that gift is alive, well and continuously giving across Tipperary in each and every club.
