Down assistant manager Marty Clarke has claimed that Meath ‘were clearly the better team’ when the two sides met in early June, but the path that their 1-11 to 1-9 defeat against the Royals sent the Mourne men on, may have been ‘a blessing in disguise’.
Played in Parnell Park, the prize on offer in the pair’s first meeting was top spot in their group and a home quarter-final. The game was close throughout, but Down were left to lament an astonishing 17 wides, as Meath left with the points.
Two of the contenders to win the Tailteann Cup from the outset, a second date always appeared to be on the cards, and whilst many observers tip Down for success this time around if they can improve their conversion rate from that day, Clarke believes that Meath were full value for the win.
“I don’t think it is as simple as the wides,” he said.
“Having watched the game back leading into the Longford game the following week, and again after drawing Meath (in the final), I felt that Meath were clearly the better team.
“We wouldn’t have been happy with some elements of our performance. Meath were excellent defensively and with the ball. Looking back now, hand on heart, Meath deserved to win that particular game.
“Ironically, it sent us on a path where we had a game against Longford the following week, then we had to go to Cavan, which was a big thing for us.
“It might have been a blessing in disguise.”
Few managers would ever describe a trip to Breffni Park to face Cavan as a ‘blessing’ but Down’s performance and victory in that quarter-final clash has proven to be the defining moment of their season.
Few would doubt that they have made strides as Conor Laverty’s maiden season as manager has gone on, but for every improvement made, there were suggestions that they maybe weren’t quite there just yet.
They impressed with five wins out of seven games in the league - but came up short of promotion. They sent Donegal packing from the Ulster Championship - but were swatted aside by Armagh. They then trounced Waterford and Tipperary - but were defeated when they faced a genuine contender.
But any doubts surrounding their marked improvement this season were put to bed against Cavan.
Last May, Down were dismal in a 0-24 to 1-12 defeat against the same opposition, at the same venue, but instead of seeing their season fizzle out again, the Mourne men made a statement.
They proved that they’re a different animal to what they presented last year, and left with a five-point win, which has given the squad tangible belief that they can beat any team in the competition.
“It was a very important day for us; it was a very important win. We put a serious energy into that week - I think we were together five nights that week,” said Clarke.
“It was just a plan that came together, and they saw it through to the very end because Cavan got it back to 0-15 to 0-16 very late in the game, but we were able to push on and win 1-17 to 0-15. It was big psychologically, but also from a game-plan viewpoint, we made a few tweaks that day which we continued into the Laois game.”
The confidence and swagger Down got from that result was on full display in Croke Park for their astonishing 8-16 to 2-12 semi-final win over Laois, as they ripped through their opponents’ defence with ease, time after time.
Even the most optimistic of fans won’t be expecting Down to be able to score as heavily against a team of Meath’s calibre, but if they are in rhythm, goals should be expected.
“Look, it is no secret, we do like hunting goals when we can. We’ve got the speed and the skill in the team to do that,” said Clarke.
“The boys are well aware that it was a freak event; I’m not sure how many times eight goals have been hit in a Senior Championship game in Croke Park.
“You want them feeling good about themselves as well; you don’t want to shy away from the fact. But you are fully aware that Meath are going to be looking at that - once you score eight goals, they’ve eighth opportunities to see how we did it. They’ve a lot of material to look at how they can stop us, and we know that they have smart coaches.
“We are under no illusions that those opportunities might not be there, and we’ll have to find a different way to score and win. But these boys are very versatile.”
Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, there is no doubt that Conor Laverty, his management team, and this group of players have given the county the shot in the arm it badly needed and have inspired future generations of Down footballers.
Clarke recalled the energy he got as a child watching the great Down team of the early 1990s, and he believes the current crop of players are doing the exact same for the kids of today.
It may not be the Sam Maguire, but silverware is silverware, and Down are desperate end the first chapter of their new journey by leaving Headquarters with the Tailteann Cup trophy on the bus home.
“It would be great to win. You want to win anything, no matter what you are in. I think it would be great for the young people in this county,” said Clarke.
“Conor [Laverty] and I grew up watching Mickey Linden, Ross Carr, James McCartan. The young people now don’t care if you are playing in the Tailteann Cup or the Sam Maguire. They are seeing Liam Kerr, Pat Havern, Danny Magill, and these boys playing, and that gives them the energy to push on.
“That’s what it gave us when we were young boys looking in. Hopefully, we can get over the line on Saturday and drive on next year.”
