Heslin speaks of ‘serious respect for Garrycastle’
Undoubtedly Westmeath’s marquee footballer in recent years, John Heslin is all too aware of the enormity of the challenge facing himself and his St Loman’s, Mullingar colleagues if they are to retain the Flanagan Cup next Sunday, writes Gerry Buckley.
Speaking last Friday, the multi-talented attacker conceded that the Mullingar Blues’ round robin form had been patchy, but they were still delighted to reach another final (a remarkable seventh consecutive appearance).
“When you set out at the start of the year, you target to get out of the group, and we did that. Then you target to win each game that comes in front of you, and we won two knockout games. Now we find ourselves in a final and it’s great to be in it. We enjoyed the football and we enjoyed the journey to get there,” he stated.
“If we stuttered through the group stage every year and still got to the final, I’d happily take that. I guarantee that every footballer would say the same. We had a serious challenge against Caulry (in the quarter-final). They played great football and were very well set up. They pushed us all the way.
“Similarly, with Coralstown/Kinnegad (in the semi-final). It’s great to see such close games in the championship because it can only mean well for the future of the county.
“I know we’re playing against each other, but it gives me great confidence as a Westmeath player and supporter to see such good lads coming through. Hopefully, we can keep them all going and get them interested in the county as well. It would bring great positivity for the future,” he added.
Heavily strapped in the aforementioned penultimate round win, the St Loman’s skipper clarified his state of health.
“I had a knee operation in the middle of the summer after the inter-county scene ended as I had hurt my knee before the Cork game. I played the last three games for Westmeath with a torn cartilage,” he said.
“I’m still really recovering from that that. Naturally enough, when you get something done to the body, there are other reactions. I haven’t done a whole lot of training, but still I’ve done more training in the last two weeks than in the previous two months. So it’s great to be back out and doing a bit on the pitch.”
In relation to other injuries in the champions’ camp, Heslin came out with this classic line: “Paddy Dowdall has been carrying a niggle for the past 25 years, so he’ll probably be carrying it for the next two weeks as well! But hopefully he’ll be back.”
He went on to say: “Naturally enough at this time of year, there will be niggles, but when lads get to a county final niggles start to go away when they focus on what’s in store.”
The holders’ captain heaped praise on next Sunday’s opponents: “I, for one, would have serious, serious respect for Garrycastle for what they’ve done over the years. We beat them in a semi-final in 2013 and a lot of people said there was no way that they would continue at that level. And look where they are, they’re in a county final again,” he continued.
“They have some remarkable players, serious people who have given unbelievable commitment to the game, the likes of Doron Harte and John Gaffey. Then you have fellows like Mark McCallon, and we know Jimmy Dolan very well. They are a really strong team and a tight-knit bunch. That’s what makes the final all the more exciting.”
And is Heslin hopeful of lifting the most prized silverware in Lake County football for a second year in-a-row next Sunday?
“That’s the aim, but we’ll take it day-by-day ahead of the game. We are looking forward to the challenge. It’ll be a tight game. There’s training to be done and we need to prepare appropriately to give Garrycastle our full focus.
If we don’t do that, we won’t have to worry about lifting the cup. Finals are for winning, not for taking part, and fingers crossed we can get a win on the day,” he concluded.