Farrell family in Martin’s thoughts after vital goal

Perhaps it was written in the stars that Maryland stalwart Kieran Martin would make a crucial impact for Westmeath when introduced from the bench in the Tailteann Cup final.

The Maryland club lost a hugely popular figure in Eoinie Farrell last Sunday week, with his funeral taking place on Wednesday. And Eoinie was very much in Kieran’s thoughts when reflecting on his match-winning goal against Cavan.

“It was a tough week in Maryland and Garrycastle was the very same a few weeks ago (due to the death of Enda Mulvihill). The club got behind the Farrells as much as they could. They are a real family of Gaels. We texted them when we heard the news and the first reply back was ‘he’ll be with you there on Saturday’. It just shows what they are and to see them all in the stand, every single one of them, it kind of brings you back down to earth as well,” said Martin.

“Today was just unbelievable. It didn’t look great with ten or 15 minutes to go. We knew we’d have the legs on them. They are a big, physical team and Croke Park is a big pitch. We knew if we kept grinding and if there was a point or two in it with ten minutes to go, we’d come back.”

Reflecting on his late goal, Martin said: “It was just one of those situations when you keep going and then you realise, you’re in front of goals.

“The goal came at the right time but with three points in it, Kevin Maguire made an unbelievable block. I know scores win games but the likes of that helps as well. He actually broke the ball down and ended up blocking it as well. It might have been a different story if that shot went in,” he continued.

“Everyone played their part, like David Lynch on Gearóid McKiernan, one of their key players. He’s been doing that that all year, he did it against Offaly as well. The likes of those lads, people don’t see what they’re doing. Lynchy just does his job and that allows other lads to play freely.”

Having sustained a serious injury against Down during last year’s league campaign, there were fears that Martin wouldn’t be seen in a Westmeath jersey again.

“You’d hear it in the background – ‘oh, he’ll never play football again’. It does get into your head. Sometimes I did think that. But thickness is a great thing and there’s plenty of it in the Martin household! All you can do is keep going and I’m lucky today, my opportunity finally came,” said the experienced campaigner.

“At my age now, I’m just mad to play football as much as I can. It has been frustrating at times but the lads have been playing so well and it’s hard to get into a winning team. All I had to do is wait for my moment and I took it and I’m delighted. It’s been a tough year with the injury and all, a lot of ups and downs.”

With Maryland starting their Westmeath IFC campaign this Sunday (they play Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall), Martin is relishing the chance to return to championship action with the Drumraney outfit.

“To be honest I’m looking forward to getting back into the club championship. I’ve only played one game with them in the last two years. I’m looking forward to another challenge with that. I was able to play Junior B with them this year but I said I won’t take a chance with that.

“We’ve another busy few weeks ahead of us. We’ll enjoy tonight and tomorrow and then lads will be beating the heads off each other (in the club championships) from next week on!”

As for the prospect of a team holiday with his Westmeath colleagues - that comes with winning the Tailteann Cup - Kieran said: “We actually forgot about that. I’m 14-15 years with Westmeath and we haven’t had a team holiday, so we’ll make the most of it now when we get it.”