*Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s Rachel Minogue. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Sport can be cruel and sport can be kind and both emotions were very much in evidence at Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon last.
For the players, mentors and supporters of Truagh/Clonlara camogie there were great scenes of celebration but for their opponents from Scariff/Ogonnelloe, they experienced huge disappointment when losing by the minimum margin.
With a historic third Clare senior title in a row beckoning, they had it snapped from their grasp when Áine O’Loughlin struck for a last minute goal.
“It’s heartbreak but that’s sport”, commented Scariff/Ogonnelloe manager Alphie Rodgers. “We spoke about momentum during the week with Clonlara winning the senior hurling championship last Sunday and what it would bring to the group. You see it there now, the joy it brings to them and its heartbreak for us. We were ahead in the 33rd minute of the second half, conceded a free and they scored the goal and there wasn’t enough time for a response”.
Rodgers extended congratulations to the first-time champions. “They played exceptionally well but we fought for everything, our girls did brilliantly. Sometimes you can be undone in sport and a score such as that can be decisive. Today it’s disappointing and heartbreak for our girls, three in a row is a very hard thing to do and we are learning that the hard way”.
The Scariff man agreed that “some great camogie was played out there today, the girls have been absolutely superb, you could not fault them for what they have given to the game, to the sport. They have represented Clare with distinction whenever they have come out of the county. Today wasn’t our day and unfortunately we have had those days in the past. Today is one of the sad days not one of the joyous ones”.
“We will go away and lick our wounds tonight. No matter how dark the winter, the spring is just around the corner, we will see how that goes,” Alphie concluded.
