Louth GAA club | Newtown Blues captain Downey savours Joe Ward Cup victory

Newtown Blues captain, Ciarán Downey, described his last-gasp winning score as a magical moment after his side defeated St Mochtas by a point in the Louth GAA Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship final replay on Saturday afternoon.

The talisman struck a two-pointer with the final kick of the game to secure the Joe Ward Cup for the Blues in stormy conditions at the O'Raghallaighs' Integral GAA Grounds.

The Drogheda side looked to be heading for defeat before Jamie Kelly's late two-pointer reduced the deficit to one point before setting up Downey's dramatic winner.

Speaking afterwards, Downey said: “What a finish is right. We were probably dead and buried, I suppose. It was three points there. I remember turning around to Jamie Kelly.

“I thought it was about 15 minutes gone or 10 minutes. He said there's 22 gone. We were two points down, we went three down, and it wasn't looking good.

“I suppose the conditions were tough and probably rushed a few shots, and once we got it to one point, you're kind of, you're in with a chance. So Jamie kicked a big two-pointer there, and we just let rip at the end. So, no choice.”

Both sides struggled with their shooting in the difficult weather, and Downey felt the Blues had allowed Mochtas to remain in contention by failing to take their chances.

“Credit to the Mochtas now, in fairness and that was very difficult conditions, and in a way they probably played better against the wind, and you could see both teams probably quite wasteful with the wind, and we spoke about that.

“As you can kind of get caught because you think there's this big breeze and then all of a sudden, you've none on the board, you've three or four wides and they were just attacking on. As I said, that clock was eating up and we under serious pressure there.”

Redemption

The winning score was particularly satisfying for Downey, who had been disappointed with his contribution in the drawn final the previous week and determined to make a greater impact in the replay.

“Probably the way you want to win it, I suppose. We were saying, sports are not fairy tales; we know that, and I know they were going for the first one.

“I know for myself, I never touched the ball last week, genuinely. I was very disappointed coming away, and I was really looking forward to today and, just to get on the end of it, personally, I was happy that I took the kick.

“I think time was up there and then that it's over, there's no kind of going back down and being pipped the other way, so no, just delighted for it to sail over.”

Downey also admitted he had been carrying the disappointment of the first meeting, when Declan Byrne's late two-pointers earned Mochtas a replay.

“Last week, we were disappointed coming out, obviously, and we felt we played quite well for large portions of the game and they kicked a big two, Decky (Byrne), fair play to him.

“He nailed some serious twos last week and got us to the draw, and then you're kind of thinking, we've got to go again in a six-day turnaround and again, very disappointed in my own performance.

“I felt I probably let the lads down a small bit, so to be able to come out today and fix it wasn't perfect, I'm sure, but yeah, just magical.”

Responsibility

Asked what was going through his mind before taking the decisive shot, Downey explained that he wanted to be the player to take responsibility in such a crucial moment.

“Well, look, you just kind of have to let it flow a little bit. It's a hard thing to kind of get into. I was just trying my best to get to the shot.

“I wanted to try and get on the end of it because I’m one of the senior players on the team and I took a free kick at the end of the game last week, and I was delighted I did, because ultimately that bit of responsibility I feel falls down to myself.

“I'd put that pressure on myself, when you don't get to the shot, you never have a chance then to do it. So I was just delighted to get to the shot today.”

Pride

For Downey, captaining his club to a 24th senior championship title was another major achievement in a year which also brought success with Louth.

Having experienced disappointment in previous finals, he felt winning with the Blues carried particular significance.

“You're a young lad, and you're playing football at a high level and, inter-county football, we've had a very good year, but there's that nothing beats winning with your club.

“We've beaten in three finals now more or less, and I think for today, to captain the team, it's very important to me; it just doesn't always go the way you want it, so when it does, it's just sweet.”

The Blues' championship success also completed a remarkable turnaround following their relegation from Division One earlier in the season.

Downey admitted it had been a difficult club campaign but stressed that the club's championship tradition remained a huge source of motivation.

“It's typical Blues, just such a Blues thing to do. I can't crack it, so I don't know how anybody else will. I suppose the story there, that's how sweet it is, and I know that the Championship, it's where it's at.

“Our club prides itself on championships; we really inherit that, we really want to keep delivering on that. But it's such a disappointment, and you're trying to pick yourself up, and you're introducing lads back from Louth, and it can be a bit messy.”

Togetherness

Downey was also keen to acknowledge the contribution of younger squad members and those who had kept things going while the county players were unavailable.

“A lot of boys there, I probably didn't get to mention enough; there's so many lads there putting in work that nobody will ever know. They're young lads, and they might be just getting in; I feel for them, but this day is for them.

“I know people kind of don't think it, but it's very important as a group that. There's a lot of boys keeping this team afloat when we're off doing other stuff, so I'm delighted for them lads.”

Celebration

Downey's attention will soon turn to the Blues' Leinster club championship campaign, while he also has the All-Star awards to look forward to following his nomination alongside two Louth teammates Dara McDonnell and Craig Lennon.

“I'm nominated alright; it’ll be tough to get one. I think it's great to see three of us there and hopefully between the three of us, we can pick up one at least.

“But yeah, look, we've a Leinster campaign, I think, Sunday, so the All-Stars are Friday night, so you're going to be taking it handy up there and getting ready for the Leinster competition.”

For now, however, Downey was happy to enjoy a special moment with his family and club after a memorable season.

“No, this is sweet now; it has been a sweet year. My little daughter there and stuff that, my girlfriend staunch Blues, it's just lovely. Again, it's a bit of a fairy-tale job.”