Garrycastle boss hopes his charges don't become latest underdog victims

GARRYCASTLE manager Anthony Cunningham has highlighted the "year of the underdog" as he plays down his team's status as favourites ahead of their third successive Westmeath SFC final. On Sunday at Cusack Park, red hot favourites Garrycastle face Mullingar Shamrocks in a repeat of last year's final, which Garrycastle won 2-9 to 1-8, but speaking at a media night in Garrycastle's Clubhouse last Friday, Cunningham said he expects an even tougher test from Shamrocks this time around. "We'll be very wary of the threat posed by Mullingar Shamrocks," said Cunningham. "Having beaten them over the last couple of years, they're sure to come out all guns blazing on Sunday. Shamrocks have huge incentive to win this game, particularly after suffering a few defeats to Garrycastle over the past few years. We're well aware of their talents. They beat us in the group stage last year, but we came back to win the final, but the shoe is on the other foot now, and they'll be looking to avenge our group stage win in July. I suppose it is the year of the underdog, so we're very aware of what happens when you don't approach the game in the right frame of mind. Look at Dublin, they were massive underdogs against Kerry, losing by four points with seven minutes to go, and they overturned it. I suppose Kilkenny were slight underdogs against Tipperary (in the All-Ireland SH final), and we know Mullingar will try everything they can to beat us on Sunday, so yes, we're very concerned about what Shamrocks potentially bring to the table," he added. The Galway native noted Shamrock's defensive capabilities, despite Garrycastle (minus Dessie Dolan) scoring two goals against the green and whites on the way to a convincing 2-10 to 0-7 group stage win in July. He also noted the physical strength of the opposition, and predicted a tight final on Sunday. "Mullingar have the incentive of not winning a county title for several years, and they won't have the same pressures they had last year. They have a couple of players back, who they didn't have for last year's final, and our sources tell us they're training very hard. There was nothing between the teams in the first half (of last year's final), and although we managed to pull away in the second half, we know it's going to be very tight this weekend," said Cunningham. Cunningham said he's looking for a more sustained level of performance from Garrycastle, insisting that "only a 60-minute plus performance" will be good enough on Sunday. "I'd be the first to admit we haven't been at our best this year. We've only played in patches in some matches, but we definitely need to play for 60, 62 or 63 minutes, whatever it might be, against a very good team on Sunday," said Cunningham. Garrycastle are seeking a third senior title in a row, and sixth overall, and while Shamrocks have double the amount of titles (ten, the last of which came in 2000) that Garrycastle currently has, most observers are finding it difficult to predict a Shamrocks win on Sunday. Despite the Athlone side's manager claiming performances have been "patchy" in this year's championship, the reality is that Cunningham's men have simply proved far too strong for all-comers. While winning all five group games - often without several first-choice players - they accrued an impressive scoring difference of 52, and a points tally of 98 (including 12 goals). They comfortably disposed of the other qualifiers from the group, The Downs and Mullingar Shamrocks, along the way, before also enjoying a nine-point victory over Tyrrellspass in the semi-finals. They presently seem like a juggernaut that's just not going to be stopped in their bid for further Flanagan Cup glory. Key to Garrycastle's attacking play this year has been Paddy Mulvihill, whose movement, turn of pace and goalscoring ability has marked him out as one to watch on Sunday. Cunningham said: "Paddy has had a great year, but I expect our five other forwards to contribute heavily too, and to give Paddy the supply and support he needs. Paddy will be singled-out on Sunday, so he has to deal with that, but he's very experienced and has super talent, so we're hoping he carries his good form into Sunday and does well." Since the group stage, Shamrocks have defeated Castledaly and local rivals St Loman's in the knockout stages, but it would take a brave man to back them to overturn Garrycastle's county dominance.