The Downs fall short against tenacious Tullamore side

The Downs manager Dermot Power made no attempt to dress the message up after Sunday’s Leinster Club SFC defeat to Tullamore, conceding that the Offaly champions arrived came with a game plan, focused on constantly pressing the home side and effectively decided the contest during a ruthless first-half surge.

Reflecting on a game in which his side struck four goals yet still came up short, Power pinpointed the goal conceded on the stroke of half-time as the moment that left The Downs with a mountain to climb.

“Tullamore arrived with a level of intensity that we probably haven’t experienced and in that first half they were pretty much on top of us,” he said. “It probably took us 40 minutes to really get into the game. We were 11 points behind at one stage and brought it back to two, but did we deserve to win? I don’t know," he mused.

A telling factor was Tullamore’s dominance around the middle third. Their high press and aggressive tackling suffocated The Downs’ usual running game, while Power’s team struggled to secure primary possession.

“It's an area we thought we would do better in,” he admitted.

“Whether it was our own kickouts or not contesting enough ball, it’s hard to know."

Missed opportunities were also part of the problem for the Westmeath champions.

"In the first half we had about six attempts that dropped short. That just can’t happen at any level, especially against a team like Tullamore. If you get opportunities, you have to take them because they won’t come around too often.”

The key moments arrived in a devastating Tullamore burst before the interval.

“It was close for the opening 15 minutes, but they got on top,” Power said. “They were three up coming to half-time and then got the crucial goal with the last kick. That goal, in isolation, put us six down. It probably put us on the back foot.”

To their credit, The Downs rallied impressively after the break.

“We came out in the second half and battled hard,” he said. “I told the players they redeemed themselves in that second half. None of them are happy with their performance and that’s the way it should be. On the day, Tullamore were the better team.”

Pressed on whether the game turned in a short spell, Power agreed.

“We just weren’t at that level you need to be at in this part of the tournament. We just weren’t at it today.”

The Downs entered the game unbeaten in Westmeath, but the gap between local championship pace and provincial intensity proved significant.

“Some people will say three weeks without a game is too long, and maybe it looked like we were off the pace in that first half,” Power said. “We were carrying injuries and didn’t want to risk lads, but we did look that bit off it.”

Missing key players such as Niall Mitchell, Conor Coughlan and Joe Moran didn’t help.

“It goes without saying they’re all starters,” Power said. “They give you options, and you need options in the modern game. But I’m 100% proud of the lads who played and the lads who came on. They’ve given everything since the first day of training. It’s been a great year after a tough one last year, and to win the Flanagan Cup again was hugely important.”

What stood out most to him, though, was Tullamore’s ferocity.

“They were well drilled, but they tackled ferociously,” he said. “They gave us no oxygen. Maybe the bounce of the ball didn’t go our way at times and maybe one or two 50-50 calls went against us, but I’m taking nothing away from Tullamore. They were the better team. They deserve to be playing Ballyboden.”

Power believes the defeat will stand to his players in the long run.

“You can definitely learn a lot from today,” he said. “Players are always trying to play at a higher level and push themselves on. There are players in there capable of raising their game. A result like today—you have to bank it. Remember it. And next year, look at it again.”

After a long season, The Downs will now take a well-earned break, still county champions but left in no doubt about the unforgiving standard on the provincial stage.

Tullamore manager Paul McConway acknowledged that former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford has made a big impression since he got involved with the side. Having won a hat-trick of Offlay senior titles, they are clearly intent on making a big impact in Leinster.

“Obviously he has had a big influence. He's a fantastic coach. We have a good background team. There's a lot of really good people involved with us. We're blessed to have the background team that we have, and compliments to the players as well. These lads deserve the best,” McConway remarked.

“That's what we're trying to provide as a management team. And obviously, he's had a big impact on us as well. He brings a wealth of experience, and we're all trying to feed off that.”