SARAH: OUR TRIBE’S GOT 36 LEADERS
SARAH DERVAN became the first Galwegian to lift the O’duffy Cup twice after the Tribeswomen’s dramatic All-ireland camogie final win over Cork.
But the colossal fullback insists that sort of history was never a motivating force for her.
In a county never short of individual talent, manager Cathal Murray has emphasised unity, a collective selflessness and workrate as the means to get over the line after a catalogue of near-misses.
As a result, they tasted glory for the second time in three years following one of the most captivating All-ireland finals camogie has ever produced.
“There are 36 girls, we’re all leaders and we all went up those steps as one,” said Dervan, cutting off any attempt to speak about personal achievement.
“It’s just been an unbelievable feeling and it just goes to show that if you work hard, dreams can come true so I’m just absolutely delighted.”
Galway’s response to Katrina Mackey’s goal – which left them three points behind entering the final quarter – saw them outscore the Rebels by 1-4 to a point, Siobhán Mcgrath finishing craftily for a 57th minute goal and her sister Orlaith driving over two brilliant points to seal the deal.
“You can only control how you react,” added Dervan (inset).
“Years gone by, we reacted in the wrong way and this year we said that no matter what Cork throw at us, we’re going to react the way we wanted to and we drove and got the next point and put a little bit of belief back in us.
“We dug really deep and every single one of those girls fought with their hearts, I’m just so delighted to be on the right side of it.”
It was in contrast to what happened when Denise Gaule netted a penalty down the finishing stretch in last year’s decider.
“That was a hard one to take because we were probably in the game until the 54th minute when the penalty changed it, we didn’t react the way we wanted to that day.
“Our goal this year was to get back to an All-ireland and when we did, we were going to fight for our lives and that’s what we did. We worked hard and we had the belief that if we worked hard, we’d win.”
It was no surprise that she singled out the management team, headed by Murray, for special praise.
“They have brought Galway camogie to elite level and the work they do behind the scenes, it’s testament to our management that we are on the right side of it two years out of three.
“We always get treated exactly the way any county hurling team would and I think that’s huge.
“He never let us down, he always fought for us. It’s an elite level now and I’m just so delighted to have such a massive backroom team that have huge experience and knowledge and it’s really because of them, that’s why we’re here.”