“There's a lot of hurt there” – Newtown Blues captain Ciarán Downey determined for Joe Ward Cup redemption

Newtown Blues captain, Ciarán Downey, admits last year's county final defeat still hurts as his side prepares for another shot at the Joe Ward Cup against St Mochtas.

The Drogheda side face the Villagers in the Louth GAA Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship final at the Integral GAA Grounds on Sunday, hoping to go one better than last year's defeat to Naomh Máirtín.

For Downey, who has experienced several county finals, the opportunity to put things right means plenty.

He told the Dundalk Democrat, “Yeah, look, the most recent one hurts the most obviously, and there is a lot of hurt there from last year, and it's not your God-given right to be winning finals and stuff like that; you have to go and perform on the day, and we know that.

“But yeah, probably the ones that you don't win sting, but you learn from them. We took a lot from that, and we're quite lucky to win the three in a row.”

Downey knows how difficult it is to reach a county final, having experienced both success and disappointment with the Blues.

“I don't know, between replays and a couple of others, maybe six I think I'm heading for, the last few haven't been too successful, so yeah, look, we're looking to try and get stuck into this one and get it over the line.”

Despite the club's history, he knows another championship is never guaranteed.

“It's seven or eight years gone by and you're looking and saying we haven't got over the line now in a long time and again.

“I know every team in the county is trying to do the same, so for us, you're just trying to get that performance together, that's good enough on the day.”

Setbacks

The Blues endured a difficult league campaign, with injuries, county commitments and a demanding fixture schedule contributing to relegation.

“Yeah, the league was what it was; we had a lot of fixtures there that we came up short in that we probably would have seen in years gone by and pipped by a point here or there.

“We just didn't get the results we needed, and that was tough to take for lads then because you are coming back and you feel like then you're letting the lads down and you're hurt and we've other lads with injuries then because they're playing so many games.”

Their championship campaign also suffered a setback with defeat to Cooley, but Downey believes the competition has shown how evenly matched teams are.

“So yeah, and it seems to be the way, how competitive every team is; there's no front runner or such and again I keep saying if you're not at it on the day, you'll be beat.”

Character

The Blues' dramatic semi-final victory over St Mary's provided another reminder of their ability to deliver under pressure. Downey admitted the players had been looking forward to the challenge.

“Yeah, I'll be honest, I was looking forward to it; it was a game that we actually wanted. I know the Marys will be the same.

“But for us as a group, I think it's a game we actually wanted just to kind of get us back up to the pitch of it and seeing right where are we actually at here.”

The Blues overturned a four-point deficit late on, with Conor MacCriosta and Liam Branigan producing decisive scores.

“I mentioned the word lucky after, and I probably take that back, saying it like Conor MacCriosta kicked a two-pointer off his left foot from 40 yards, obviously, and Liam Branigan scores a goal off his weaker side, his left foot as well.

“So I don't know if that's luck; there's a bit of skill in there, like there's great execution for two very young lads, in fairness.

“But like make no mistake, we could have been caught at the same time as well, so to get that five-point swing and again just at the right time for us it was badly needed.”

Youth

Downey was particularly pleased with the contribution of younger players, including Branigan, who missed 22 weeks with a serious hamstring injury.

“Especially young lads, you know, like they've had a raw deal now, like Liam Branigan, for example. You know, he had a Grade 4c hamstring tear after the group stages last year; like, 22 weeks that chap was out.

“Then he's having some big moments like that in itself is pleasing, maybe from an older head point of view.

“But definitely there's a lot of young lads stepping up now and getting some valuable minutes either through league and championship, which, you know, for me that's what I'm most happy with.”

The captain also praised experienced players such as Andy McDonnell for helping guide the younger members of the squad.

“Like you can't have 30 young lads and/or 30 kind of so-called elder lads; you need that balance, and I think they bring great direction to the lads.

“But definitely they bring that kind of steeliness to the group, and you know, doing your business properly around this time of year.”

Challenge

Downey expects a difficult final against a St Mochtas side he believes have been building towards this opportunity for several years.

“They've been very, very impressed, putting up massive scores. I think everybody knows that this is a 50-50 encounter.

“I know whatever it's a novel pairing in terms of a final standing, but you know the Mochtas have been knocking on the doors the last few years.

“For us, like we're the same like we're counting a lot of hurt, and we want this game. I know the Mochtas are going to be the same, so it should create a good affair between us.”

Ambition

Winning another Joe Ward Cup would cap a memorable year for Downey, who also earned an All-Star nomination.

“But yeah, like, I would be a kind of, you know, to top off a wonderful year, a brilliant year, I should say, like, and you know, I mentioned I'm very blessed at the minute.

“It's strange when football goes like this because it can be quite cruel at times, but like you're a kick of the ball off. If we didn't come up against the Marys, that would have been my fourth semi-final loss this year.”

Despite carrying a minor injury, Downey remains hopeful of making his contribution on Sunday.

“No, again I missed a few chances I wouldn't be too happy with, but look, once I get my boots on me, if I can get moving, which please God I can, once I'm in the mix I'm giving the boys a dig out.”

And having experienced the disappointment of losing previous finals, the Blues captain knows nothing will be handed to them.

“But like again, like nobody's handing cups over; every team is trying to win it, and any team that would be in the senior final at the minute is going to be going in for it.”