Anyone who has ever experienced the saccharine taste of success has done so after enduring failure’s bitter flavour.
Those who say failure isn’t an option are blatant liars. It’s right there for the taking as the most readily available option.
Sometimes it will lure you into its sharp and thorny arms with its siren’s call resonating in your ears. It will tell you you’re not good enough, so why even bother trying? After all, if you didn’t give it your best effort, then you can always wheel out that go-to excuse for your shortcomings.
However, other times, even your best is not enough.
Last year, Dublin club Cuala gave it their utmost in the Leinster club hurling championship final, only to be bested by Wexford’s Oulart-The-Ballagh. On that occasion their luck had run out as they had to deal with the heartbreak of both the winning goals being gifted to the opposition. Their hopes of claiming their first provincial title were over.
Well, for another year, at least.
Flash forward a year later and the Dalkey outfit found themselves back in the final. Their battleground this time was O’Moore Park in Portlaoise, while they faced a different opposition in the form of Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels.
Few expected Cuala to win the game with such ease, but with the fire of last year’s mistakes burning in their bellies, they dispatched of the Cats by 3-19 to 1-16 to become the first Dublin club to claim the tile since Crumlin in 1980.
Man of the match Con O’Callaghan’s inspired performance saw him hit 1-04, with 1-02 of that coming in the first-half, while free-taker David Treacy fired over an impressive 0-11 as the Dubliners slayed last year’s demons with one fell swoop.
Next up for Cuala is an All-Ireland semi-final with Slaughtneil on February 4. They’ll certainly be confident heading into the clash against the Derry champions, feeling that a final place on March 17 is just within their grasp.
#backingcuala pic.twitter.com/df3Q7x45Kz
— Cuala GAA (@CualaCLG) December 4, 2016
Elsewhere, Darran O’Sullivan’s Glenbeigh Glencar were crowned Munster Junior Football champions as they eased past Cork club Gabriel Rangers by a whopping 12 points in Mallow.
However, the Rebels did taste success in the later throw-in as Nicky Kelly 10 points helped Mayfield defeat Waterford’s Ballyduff Lower to become the Munster Junior Hurling champions. Both clubs had to finish the game without their designated Brian O’Learys as both men were sent off following a shemozzle in the latter stages.
Munster club JFC final
Gabriel Rangers 0-10 Glenbeigh Glencar 2-16, Mallow (Cork)
Munster club JHC final
Mayfield 2-18 Ballyduff Lower 3-10, Mallow (Cork)
