Showdown looming

The Downs have thrown down the gauntlet to reigning champions St Loman’s, Mullingar, ahead of the senior football final on Sunday.

Joint captain Darragh Egerton said the Black and Ambers are ready to give the holders their biggest test yet. “Whatever way it comes, we’ll throw everything at it - the kitchen sink and all. If we click on the day, we’re a very good team and a hard team to beat,” he declared.

Sunday’s final promises to be intriguing as two of the biggest rivals in the county lock horns. While St Loman’s are strong favourites, nobody is writing off The Downs, whose proud tradition and renowned fighting spirit make them dangerous opposition.

Indeed, St Loman’s captain John Heslin is fully aware of the threat on Sunday, and he and his colleagues will be on high alert after The Downs shocked them two years ago in the final.

“They have many capabilities and different styles of play in their locker; some quality players too, like Mitch (Niall Mitchell), Luke (Loughlin), the Martins, Johnny Lynam – you can keep going. And right into their defence. So, they’re a strong team. We’re looking forward to playing them and it’s a serious challenge,” he remarked.

The mood in both camps is upbeat ahead of Sunday’s Flanagan Cup showdown, and it is evident both teams fancy their chances, which sets it up nicely for neutrals. St Loman’s are certain to be motivated by their defeat in the final two years ago, and they are arguably in a stronger place this time, having come through the top section undefeated.

However, the lack of a serious test in the semi-final may well be a factor, and the facile nature with which they brushed aside Tyrrellspass could leave them exposed if The Downs are strong enough to stay in the hunt entering the last 10 minutes.

Redemption is not “the primary driver”, according to Heslin. “At the end of the day, we have to focus on getting ourselves right. Making improvements on the Tyrrellspass game, which I know The Downs will have already viewed and looked at the perceived weaknesses. And that's an area that we are always trying to improve on; always trying to get better game on game. That's your first and foremost focus,” he observed.

Egerton and his colleagues know what awaits, and the obvious concern for them will be whether Section B has given them the kind of preparation required to take on a very experienced St Loman’s side, appearing in their tenth successive final. “They’ve been the kingpins of Westmeath football for the last 10 to 12 years and have the silverware to show for it,” Egerton noted.

“They’ve got some of the best forwards in Westmeath and Leinster, with marquee players like Ronan O’Toole, John Heslin, and Shane Dempsey, but also others like Sean Flanagan and Kevin Regan playing really good football.”

The Downs’ manager Johnny Murray, in his first year at the helm, will undoubtedly draw on the club’s great passion and desire. “We’re 60 years as a senior club this year. Not too many teams in the county can say that. So, we’re a very proud club,” he declared.

Murray has had to balance the dual player situation but has done so superbly, and he now believes the likes of Egerton and Niall Mitchell can give his side an extra edge against the defending champions. “It’s a serious workload, but the appetite the players have for it is brilliant,” he remarked.

St Loman’s manager Paddy Dowdall, who has won nine of his 15 county medals as a hurler with Clonkill, closely connected to The Downs, will be fully aware of how battle-hardened they can be.

“They’re the very same as our guys, they want to win,” he observed.

Neither side has reported any serious injury concerns, but David Whelan is surely a doubt for St Loman’s, while there will be obvious question marks around Niall Mitchell and Darragh Egerton, who have been battling injuries for The Downs.

Ultimately, St Loman’s have more options and a superior bench, which gives them the edge, but it should be a fitting finale to the senior championship. (See pages 59-63 inside)