‘Proud’ Gavin laments U20 footballers’ second half collapse

“It’s so disappointing, especially after the way we played in the first half. That’s as good as we played all year. We got some great scores in it, and Peter Pierson came on as a blood sub just before half-time and got the goal. I thought that if we could get a couple of early scores in the second half, we would go on to win.”

This post-match statement from Westmeath U20 football manager, Damien Gavin, in Parnell Park yesterday evening neatly summed up the thoughts of the many Lake County fans in attendance, after a glorious opportunity to topple the Dubs in their own backyard was spurned.

Deservedly leading by seven points at half-time, Westmeath lost the second half by 1-10 to 0-1. In this regard, Gavin opined: “We spoke about it at half-time that Dublin were going to come out and have a purple patch. There was absolutely no complacency at that stage.

“When they got the goal, we kind of struggled after that. There was talk of a ‘square ball’, but there are seven officials there and they didn’t call it. These are the ‘fine margins’. It gave them a huge lift and they put a lot of pressure on us.

“We put four balls into the goalie’s hands, including straight after their goal, and kicked two frees wides. They suck the life out of you. Look, it’s those small things that keep you in the game. Then you might be lucky enough to get a goal or something.

“Certainly, at underage when momentum goes against you, it’s hard to break it. Within 15 minutes or so, they had the lead cancelled out. They put huge pressure on our kick-out in the second half. They were winning all the breaking ball. When things are going against you, these things happen.

“Then again, in the first half we got a couple of lucky breaks as well when we were on top. To be fair to the lads, they kept going and going, but sometimes the harder you try, the more mistakes happen.

“Things that worked in the first half, when we tried them in the second half they just didn’t come off,” he added.

The St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge man continued: “Their subs worked well, similar to ours against Wicklow. They were probably physically stronger than us. They have a lot of conditioning done over the years. That probably told a little bit in the end. But when you’re winning, you can look very fit.

“Overall, I’d be very happy with the effort the lads put in. I am very proud of them. This my fifth year doing it, and the effort that lads have put in every year is phenomenal. People criticise young lads, but we see the effort they have put in from November onwards each year.

“They put their character on the line. They are there to be judged and I would never say a bad word about any of those lads. I think the future is bright in Westmeath.”

And will the 1995 All-Ireland minor winning captain stay on for a sixth year in the U20 bainisteoir’s bib? He concluded by responding: “I’m not going to say ‘no’ if asked. I really, really enjoy working with young lads.

“When you see the effort they put in, and not just on match days. These lads are doing exams. They are working. They are training three days a week. They are going to gyms. A lot of people are critical of young lads saying they are soft. There is absolutely nothing soft about that group of lads, or any of the lads that we have been involved with over the past five years.

“You would hope that a lot of them will step up to senior and when they do that they won’t just be happy to do so, but that they will want to go on and win something.”

- Gerry Buckley