SFC final: ‘It was always going to be tight’, says Kelly

It was a relieved Declan Kelly who spoke to the media after his St Loman’s, Mullingar side had eked out a dramatic 0-13 apiece draw against Garrycastle in TEG Cusack Park yesterday afternoon, writes Gerry Buckley.

A late free from John Heslin meant that St Loman’s lived to fight another day, leaving Garrycastle – who led for vast stretches of the game – kicking themselves.

Kelly’s initial reaction was: “We’re just delighted to get another day out, to be quite honest. It wasn’t looking good with five minutes to go. We missed a good bit today, in fairness, although Garrycastle put serious pressure on our lads when they were kicking.”

Reflecting on the game as a whole, the Offaly man stated: “We weren’t going too badly until the first water break, but then Garrycastle pretty much took over for the remainder of the first half.

“There was ten minutes at the start of the second half when there was no score. You have two pretty experienced teams, teams who know how to win championships. It was always going to be tight and, no doubt, it’ll be tight the next day as well.

“We were lucky John (Heslin) kicked a couple of frees to keep us in it. TJ (Cox) also kicked good scores. John sees where he can get on the ball, where we need him.

“We had to get on the ball late in the game. Luckily enough, we did. John’s leg injury is something that has been at him from the Westmeath games this year. Up to a month ago, he probably hadn’t a lot of the work done that he normally would have done. He trains quite hard himself. But he’s getting there,” he added.

The champions’ bainisteoir was forced to make a couple of early substitutions. In this regard, he opined: “We had to empty the bench. That is what it’s there for. And they all contributed when they came in.

“It’s a quick turnaround and we’ll have to assess where fellows are as regards knocks. We won’t do a lot this week. Hopefully, we’ll get lads fresh for next Sunday.”

“We’re hanging in! We were lucky to get over the quarter-final and the semi-final, and now a drawn match today. The Westmeath championship is very competitive. It’s great for the neutrals, if not great for the teams involved.

“It was great weather for the middle of November and it was great to see a big crowd there today,” he concluded.