Ardnaree Sarsfields: A club on the verge of the promised land after years of heartbreak

Few GAA clubs in the country have endured as much heartbreak as Ardnaree Sarsfields in recent years.

Starting in 2009, the Mayo side lost four county finals in five years, including one (2012) that they led by five points with eight minutes to go before eventually losing in extra-time. Current manager Declan O’Dea was in charge for three of those four finals and stepped away in 2012 before returning this year, when Ardnaree won their first county title in 44 years. This Saturday, he leads them into Croke Park to take on Kerry outfit Templenoe in the All-Ireland Junior Final, the last stop in an eventful and emotional journey for the North Mayo club. This is their story.