Twelve months worth the wait for Sars
Image 1 of 2
Thurles Sarsfields - County Senior Camogie Championship winners. Back row: Niamh McCormack, Kate Stakelum, Nicola Loughnane, Sarah Stakelum, Maria Ralph, Ella Moloney, Emma Carey, Ciara Cummins, Anna Derby, Karen Bohan, Laragh Griffin, Aoife Dwyer, Caoimhe Stakelum, Aoife Butler, Leanna Coppinger, Rebecca O’Mara, Robyn Fanning. Front row: Katie McCormack, Kaelinn Rossiter, Siobhan Hennessey, Roisin Corbett, Katelyn Ruddy, Laura Louhghnane, Emer Kennedy, Lucy Purcell, Ciara Maher, Sophie Burke, Karen Kennedy, Andrea Loughnane, Ava Geoghan.Image 2 of 2
Caoimhe Stakelum with her Player of the Match award after scoring 3-6.By Joe Scully
“Players win games, but teams win championships,” - the words of a delighted Thurles Sarsfields manager Conor Stakelum after his side clinched their first ever Tipperary Senior Camogie Championship with a four-point win over Clonoulty/Rossmore in Saturday’s final.
Stakelum was immensely proud of his players, and with the effort they have put in not just this year, but the last few years to get finally get to this point.
“You couldn’t be prouder,” said the former Tipperary All-Ireland winner.
“They have served a long and hard apprenticeship, and today they got they’re just rewards.
“Sport doesn’t always give you the chance, but today we beat a very good Clonoulty side the county champions, and it’s a really special day for the whole family of Thurles Sarsfields.”
Being on the sideline, Conor was unable to enjoy the game as well as the crowd seemed to, but was delighted with the game overall.
“I can’t say I was that much able to comment on the game, but I’m sure judging by the crowds reaction, it was a brilliant game,” he added.
“Some of the scores were extraordinary, and it was brilliant today that we got to see them skills displayed in Semple Stadium, and it was quite an incredible day for those athletes involved.”
Although Stakelum wasn’t involved himself in last years final defeat, he knew the players were hurting after the defeat, and he could see how much they wanted to right that particular wrong.
“The players, they were really hurting, and it was obvious not just today but all year,” he continued.
“When it really came down to it today, they just really wanted it, and nothing was going to stop them.”
Next up now for Thurles Sarsfields is the Munster championship and a game against the champions of Kerry Clanmaurice, and for Stakelum it is a great chance for the club to represent Tipperary and one he’s looking forward to.
“We will have to be very respectful of the county, following of the great clubs like Clonoulty and all the other teams.
“We really want to them proud, and we want to do camogie in Tipperary proud, and it will be a challenge we won’t be taking lightly and will give the competition the huge respect it deserves, and we will be giving it everything to make sure we fly the Tipp flag valiantly.”