Sargent ready for seventh SFC final
Despite still being relatively young, Ruth Sargent has grown into being a leader for Eadestown Photo: Aisling Hyland
She still may only be 22 years of age but recently qualified teacher, Ruth Sargent, who now teaches in Rathcoole, will be appearing in her seventh Joe Mallon Motors SFC Final in Cedral St Conleth’s Park on Friday night. A remarkable record for one so young.
“Each year has been different in its own way” Ruth explained.
“For me personally, probably positional differences and so on. Some people might think once you have the first county medal in your pocket, you might be satisfied but just getting the winning feeling at the final whistle makes you want more. I've been very lucky to be on the team on the right side and then unfortunately the wrong side last year,” she added.
Ruth agreed that there was analysis by the team following last year’s loss to St Laurence’s in the county final in the run up to the semi-final.
“I suppose there was obviously a bit of analysis. What can we do to fix that. Then we didn't focus in on them too much. It was more what we could do, sticking to our process and our principles that we worked on from the start of the year till now. We knew that if we could stick to that it would get us out on the right side,” she explained.
The county player noticed a real determination in the club when she returned from intercounty duty.
“All the training sessions were really high intensity; that's what makes you perform in the match. If we're giving 100% at training, we're improving each training session and when you add up all the training sessions, like between the matches, there isn't that much. Matches between League and Championship, they fly around so we were just focusing on skills and little bits that we can get right,” Ruth told us.
Centre half back is her favourite position Sargent confirmed.
“I suppose it runs in the family with Jack there as well, which is nice,” she said adding that the presence of sister, Emma, in goals was of great benefit.
“What she's brought to the team since she's joined us in goals. It's a really difficult position to be put in when you're not used to playing there but I think she settled in really well. The community around us is really encouraging as well. So that also helps,” Ruth added while praising such players as Laura Byrne and Anna Hynes and Molly Lawlor.
“Laura is great to have in the middle of the field, a powerhouse and Molly and Anna go about their work probably in a quieter way but definitely have a brilliant talent,” she said.
“I think this year we’re more focusing on our performance rather than thinking about winning all the time. It's just if we know that we can perform to our ability for long periods of time then the winning will look after itself,” she continued.
Sargent is looking forward to walking out on Friday evening for the county final.
“It's a great occasion especially to be in Cedral St Conleth’s Park and especially for the younger girls. We are getting the community out and supporting us like they always do really. We're really lucky to have such support around us. We mightn't have the brilliant facilities but we use what we have really well and we're grateful for what we get as well.”
She won’t be changing her routine for the final though.
“I'm one that actually doesn't really get too nervous for matches,” she explained.
“I'll be working in school as usual. Mum is involved with the team as well but there’s not too much talk about it. Just keeping things the same, really. If it's worked for our past matches, why change it,” Ruth concluded.
