Giles under no illusion about quality of The Downs side
Coralstown/Kinnegad captain Darren Giles says his side have shown great character to reach their second Westmeath Senior Football Championship final in three years and believes that ending a 27-year wait for the title would be significant and richly deserved for the a club that has made great progress.
Having lost their opening two group games to The Downs and St Loman’s, Mullingar, Coralstown/Kinnegad appeared to be in trouble early in the campaign. However, Giles said their late comeback against Athlone was the turning point in a season that has gathered momentum ever since.
“From the Athlone game, just to find something there was huge for us. We just kind of pulled it out of the fire with 15 minutes to go and we’ve just carried that momentum since then, and it’s brought us here,” he observed.
Giles admits that the team took time to find their rhythm in the group stage.
“We were due to find it, and luckily enough we did. The two-pointers probably saved us against Athlone. Maybe we kicked five in the second half, and it just gave us a huge lift, which was great.”
The Coralstown/Kinnegad skipper praised the conditioning and depth of his squad, highlighting the impact of substitutes and the benefits of experience from their 2022 final appearance.
“The lads have worked hard over the last number of years, and the conditioning of the guys coming on, even since two years ago when we were in the final, has been great. The subs have made a huge impact finishing games - winning breaking ball, adding to the scoreline. It gives lads like myself, one of the older ones, the chance to empty it out knowing there are fresh legs to come on.”
For Giles, leading his club into another county final is something special.
“It’s every kid’s dream, when you start playing football, to bring home a Senior Championship and be captain of the club. That’s every kid’s dream throughout rural Ireland. The fact that you're in that position is incredible.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s showdown, Giles knows The Downs will be formidable opposition.
“The Downs are quality opposition,” he noted. “The physicality they bring is huge; their strength and fitness levels. We’re under no illusion; they’ve definitely set the standard for this year’s championship. It’ll be a huge challenge for us, but it’s something we’re looking forward to.
“Probably coming into the semi-final, everyone expected a Downs-Loman’s final, so we had no pressure and could just go and have a cut. We’re hoping maybe the same again in the final: The Downs will be favourites, and we’ll just go out and have a cut and see how we go.”
After years of building, Giles says success on Sunday would be fitting reward for everyone involved in the club.
“There’s been huge work put in throughout the club over the last number of years. What we have in Kinnegad GAA Club is phenomenal; the gym set-up, the pitches, everything. Anything we’ve asked for, we’ve been given. We’ve no more excuses. We’ve been given everything; we’re hoping to bring back something for them," he added.