Sarsfields GAA club destroyed by floods just two days after county final triumph

Just two days after it played host to their emotional celebrations of a Cork SHC title, the Sarsfields GAA pitch in Cork was submerged in floods.

Storm Babet was at its worst in Cork and Kerry, where there was a status orange weather warning, with destructive floods forming throughout the counties.

The Sarsfields club in Glanmire, Cork was one of the worst-affected areas.

With the surrounding community suffering due to the heavy rain-fall, their pitch committee and officers made the noble decision to offer up their grounds as a flood-plain.

2 days ago , place was packed with supporters after their county final success – now how can this happen ?? pic.twitter.com/mBnoY1s202

— Tomas Mulcahy (@tomas_mulcahy) October 18, 2023

“We will be forever proud of our Senior Team on Sunday, and today Sars Hurling Club experienced heroism in the form of our pitch committee & volunteers,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“Although we wanted to ensure we could limit the damage to the club house we made the decision to open the 2 large gates (behind the bar area and at the end of the pitch).

“As a result our main pitch essentially became a flood plain in order to relieve the flooding to the immediate Riverstown area, Orchard Manor & surrounding businesses.

“We won a county, lost a pitch but hopefully saved a part of the Glanmire community.”

Sarsfields’ triumph on Sunday was an emotional as it came in the year that they lost one of their greatest ever players, Teddy McCarthy. The team visited his grave with the Seán Óg Murphy cup on the evening of their triumph over Midleton.

The Cork legend’s nephew Donnacha was a goalkeeper for the team in their 0-21 0-19 win.

Ironically, Midleton was also destroyed with flooding on Wednesday afternoon, with a heavy stream of water flowing down one of the town’s main streets.

Main Street Midleton 💔 soul destroying! 😢 stay safe!!! pic.twitter.com/Yapkx1hCjM

— Dr. Orlagh Farmer (@OrlaghFarmer) October 18, 2023

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