Passion from the pulpit: Fr Martin ready for another Croke Park pilgrimage with Sars

He lights up Sunday Mass with his own take on the sports news, but how many of the congregation know that Sars stalwart Fr Martin Barry has got game too, writes Damien Irwin.

DIVINE INTERVENTION: Fr Martin Barry, former Sarsfields player who won a county medal in 1957 pictured at the club. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

IT'S Sunday December 29th, the hours running down on 2024, and in Glanmire church Fr. Martin Barry, an 88-year-old native of the parish is just coming to the end of Mass when he announces in typically upbeat fashion… “And now for the sports news. Golfer Scottie Scheffler is out injured for a month or more as he hurt his hand cooking the Christmas dinner - clearly proving he's a better golfer than cook.” 

To uproarious laughter around the church, he then goes on to the main sports items: “A great year for Sars hurlers who won the Munster Club title for the very first time. And for Cork camogie who won two All-Irelands. And not forgetting the Glanmire men who won the football county as well as Glanmire ladies who also did the same last year.”