Crowley: Every tight game we are coming out the right side

Sarsfields manager Johnny Crowley says his players can't be questioned for their ability to win tight battles.

Sarsfields Manager Johnny Crowley with Eoghan Murphy after the clash with St Finbarr's in Co-Op Superstores Premier SHC semi-final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan Linehan

A third consecutive Cork Premier SHC final beckons for Sarsfields. The 2023 champions and the 2024 runners-up are through to an eagerly-awaited showdown with Midleton. And just like their upcoming opponents, who fought to an extra-time one-point victory over Blackrock, the Riverstown club edged a close contest with St Finbarr’s in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, 1-22 to 2-18.

“You can’t question our lads for these tight battles,” manager Johnny Crowley said. “It is becoming a bit of a coincidence that every tight game we are coming out of the right side. They just work so hard. Six points down at half-time. We knew the wind was coming and we said to stay in it and make the right decisions and I think we made an awful lot of right decisions. But above everything, it was our incredible attitude and tenacity. Our fight for the jersey was immense.

“I suppose it is trying to keep everything fresh, thinking of new things and different things. The two weeks after Charleville we completely changed what we were doing. We actually gave them the Tuesday night off which was unusual. We trained on Thursday night. We didn’t train Saturday. I actually brought them down to Fota golfing and we had great craic. Great afternoon, four or five hours. And we went back at it again to try and keep it fresh and keep it going. It is a team effort from everybody.” 

Crowley has an impressive CV with Sars. It is still expanding, but he is quick to laud his players.

“They have such a desire to win and such a work-ethic for each other. They would die for each other and they would die for us as a management team. Don’t ask me how it comes about. There is a massive unity and a massive bond.

“Over the last three years we’ve had a lot of hardship in the club with Ted (McCarthy), Cathal’s father (Conor McCarthy) and Ger Mohally and particularly Ray (Ryan) this year was devastating for the lads because Ray would have been so involved with all the lads in that dressing room be it played with the older lads and coached the younger lads. He would have coached the intermediate team. I suppose all that gathers momentum within the core of the group. That bond is very special.” 

Two seasons ago, Sars bridged a nine-year gap to clinch their seventh county title. It was Midleton they defeated, by a two-point margin.

Before their next meeting, it is important first to recognise getting there.

“We’ll certainly enjoy tonight. I always say to the lads that you have to celebrate your victories as well. We’re in a tremendous era for our club at the moment. We’ve gone to three county finals and that’s not easy, hard to keep that constantly going. To come back again and go to another county final there is huge credit due to them players. No matter what I ask them to do, they just keep going to the well. They keep coming up with the results and the goods.

"I’ve seen Midleton games, didn’t see today, but it went to extra-time and they found a way. The same against the Glen. They are a team very similar to ourselves, they’ve had hardship this year. And they go to the well again. No matter what club you’re with it is so important to have that.”