Sars likely to have too much, but Rovers will prove tough test

THEIR story should be the stuff of fairytale, a celebration of everything we have always held dear about the underdog since the time Goliath took one in the forehead from a lad with a slingshot.

Because in hurling terms, there have been few little guys quite like Bride Rovers. Having crept out of “B” grade as recently as 1993, they stand just one victory away from the biggest prize in Cork hurling.

The odds you would have got at the start of the championship on the Rathcormac club and Sars making it an all East Cork final would have been interesting. Rumour has it at least one bookie stands to lose heavily should Rovers win tomorrow.

While the club has been around for decades, Bride Rovers rise to prominence really began in 1993, when they won the East Cork “B” grade junior title.

The “A” grade divisional and county titles followed in 1998 and it took just five years to add the county intermediate title. In a decade, the Rovers went from a “B” team to senior.

All the while, Sarsfields were plying their trade in senior ranks. After winning the county in 1951 and 1957, they fell on lean times, and while they have contested several finals in the intervening years, the last in 1997, the Sean Óg Murphy Cup had not gone back to the Glanmire area in 51 years.

Bride Rovers drew St Finbarr’s in round one. It didn’t quite work out for the Rathcormac side as they failed by two points, which meant the back door and a meeting with Ballinhassig.

That game ended all square before Rovers won the replay by a point to set up a third-round meeting with fellow Imokilly side Midleton. Again Rovers rode their luck before emerging winners by a point. They then saw off Avondhu, but the acid test was to come when they clashed with champions Erin’s Own who were chasing a hat-trick of titles, in the semi-final.

Bride Rovers played it hard and honest to win by two points.

Because they won their opening round against Ballinhassig, by a point, Sars have a game less played. Round three saw them in against fellow East Cork side Cloyne. Sars deservedly won by four points to set up a semi-final clash with Newtownshandrum.

Sars came through by a four-point margin. Glen Rovers were next up. The Blackpool side were fancied but Sars’ hurling was crisper and of the introduction of Michael Cussen was a major factor in their three-point win.

Sars have been steadily building this present senior team. Underage successes have thrown up a couple of very exciting youngsters. Cian McCarthy, son of Teddy; Tadgh Óg Murphy, son of coach Bertie Óg; and Conor O’Sullivan are testament to this.

Add the experience of Pat Ryan, captain Kieran Murphy, both of whom hold All-Ireland senior medals with Cork, his brother Ray, Joe Barry and Brian McCarthy, and this Sars team is ready to bridge the 51-year gap.

Rovers won’t go down without a fight. Their challenge is led by an outstanding goalkeeper in Denis Fitzgerald who won a couple of Harty Cup and All-Ireland colleges medals with St Colman’s. Captain Brian Murphy is an All-Ireland senior medal winner with the county, and he will be a key figure at centre back along with his brothers Barry, James and Pádraig.

Barry Johnson, Jerome O’Driscoll and Michael Collins are excellent scoring forwards, but the outcome will come down to pace and skill, and Sars have a little more of both.

PATHS TO THE FINAL:

Bride Rovers 0-9, St Finbarr’s 0-10

Bride Rovers 3-7, Ballinhassig 1-13

Bride Rovers 1-11, Midleton 1-10

Bride Rovers 0-15, Avondhu 1-7

Bride Rovers 1-11, Erin’s Own 1-9.

Sarsfields 2-9, Ballinhassig 2-8

Sarsfields 1-16, Cloyne 2-9

Sarsfields 1-16, Newtown 1-12

Sarsfields 2-14, Glen Rovers 0-17.