Cunningham stays grounded after impressive Garrycastle win

Garrycastle manager Anthony Cunningham is refusing to get carried away after his team's hugely convincing Westmeath SFC semi-final trouncing of Tyrellspass at Cusack Park last Sunday. Most observers now see Garrycastle as warm favourites to claim this year's county crown following the 1-16 to 0-6 hammering of the Tidy Town team (see page 35 for report). Garrycastle will now meet the winners of Coralstown/Kinnegad or St Loman's Mullingar in the decider, but such was the manner of the Athlone-based club's victory over Tyrellspass - themselves twice county title winners in the last three years - that most people cannot see Cunningham's men being stopped at this stage. The winners of the second semi-final will no doubt have a different view, while Cunningham is himself wary of anyone getting carried away. "Things just clicked for us against Tyrellspass, sometimes you get days like that, but in fairness to Tyrellspass there were a couple of occasions when the ball just didn't fall kindly for them," said the former St Brigid's manager. "Of course we are very happy with the way the lads played and we registered plenty of scores. But it's going to be a clean slate in the final and it won't matter how we played against Tyrellspass. Both Coralstown/Kinnegad and St Loman's have been doing very well this year and will be keen to have a shot at Garrycastle in the final, so we won't be taking anything for granted in the final. You can't afford to take anyone lightly in a county final and it all boils down to whoever shows up on the day and who takes their chances," added Cunningham. Garrycastle will be extra eager to seal their first Flanagan Cup in five years after losing last year's decider to Castledaly. And although Cunningham believes last year's defeat in the final has helped motivate Garrycastle this year, he thinks it will matter little once the action begins on Sunday, October 4. He said: "Losing last year's final has probably inspired and motivated the lads a bit but that doesn't really come into it once the final begins and the ball is thrown in. It won't help people kick points or save goals. Our lads are very focused in any case. I have to say they are a great bunch to work with and their application and desire has been excellent. They have a very good collective attitude and we're looking forward to the final." Garrycastle will also be hoping that experienced midfielder David O'Shaughnessy, who missed last Sunday's big win, can play some part in the final. Cunningham said: "David has been struggling with ankle ligament damage but hopefully he can take part in some training over the next few weeks and possibly play some part in the final." With new Westmeath manager Brendan Hackett watching from the stands, Dessie Dolan grabbed much of the limelight for Garrycastle against Tyrellspass, notching 1-6, with James Dolan, James Duignan and Paul Dillon all chipping in with three points apiece. Meanwhile, the semi-final meeting of Coralstown/Kinnegad and St Loman's takes place at Cusack Park on Saturday at 4.30pm.