Relief for Sars boss Stakelum

By Joe Scully

It was a delighted but relieved Thurles Sarsfields manager Conor Stakelum who was speaking in the aftermath of his sides victory in the County Senior Camogie Championship final on Saturday.

“I can just about gather my breath; it was so tight,” he began.

“They say goals win games, but today there was no such thing, that theory certainly was thrown out the window. Goals were just another score, players from both sides stayed at it, and right up til the end the game was there to be won.

“Clonoulty are an incredible team and if you just look at that last free from Cait (Devane) it was an incredible strike from 60 yards almost inch perfect underneath the crossbar, and it all came down to that last play, and luckily for us the ball broke our way.

“We are over the moon to have won two county titles-in-a-row, which is an incredible achievement no matter what level your playing at, and for those girls to have done it today is quite special.”

Stakelum, who has now led Thurles to both of their county championships, said he felt numb as the last play was progressing deep in added time.

“I just wanted the game to be over with at that stage,” added at the Borrisoleigh native.

“If you look at the play that resulted in the free, Karen (Kennedy) had to work incredibly hard, and Clonoulty stayed on her, it was a phenomenal block down on her, before we conceded the foul, and that passage of play really typified, what the game was all about, huge, honest endeavour, right from the off and we’re just so lucky to come out on top.”

Conor’s daughter Caoimhe played a pivotal part in the victory scoring 1-9 and picked up the player of the match award. He was a very proud father, but also pointed out it was a team effort that won them the title.

“Caoimhe had a superb game, but at the same time she’s only as good as the ball going into her, and she is aware of that herself,” he added.

“The ball going into her was excellent and they were working so hard throughout the field in order to supply not just Caoimhe but the rest of the forwards.

“They say players win games, but teams win championships, and everybody had to perform out there.”

The next challenge for Thurles now is another tilt at the Munster championship against either St Finbarr’s of Cork or Clare’s Truagh Clonlara, and for Stakelum it’s a chance for Thurles to show they deserve to represent the county.

“We’re now representing a very proud county that is Tipperary camogie, and all those phenomenal clubs so we have to keep up our side of the bargain, as we get to represent them, when it comes to playing the Cork or Clare champions.

“We will enjoy the next few days, then we need to make sure we’re the best versions of ourselves for the Munster semi-final,” he concluded.