Watch: Sarsfields turn pitch into flood plain to limit damage to Glanmire community

A view of Sarsfields Hurling Club's main pitch.

Just a number of days after securing the Cork premier senior crown, Sarsfields Hurling Club have felt the full effects of Storm Babet. 

Sars - who beat Midleton in the decider at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday last - had to spring into action again, this time in an effort to combat the flooding caused by excessive rainfall on Wednesday morning and afternoon. 

The club's pitch committee and volunteers took the decision to allow their main pitch to flood, in the hope that it would save the surrounding community from any further damage. 

A club statement read: "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. 

"Although we wanted to ensure we could limit the damage to the clubhouse we made the decision to open the two 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."

Much stronger flow coming out the gate of the house, flowing down the road and into Sarsfields pitch. #StormBabet #corkfloods pic.twitter.com/dsRuyuBJXx

— Pádraig Dooley (@podgedooley) October 18, 2023

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