Minor success should stand to the Blues
CIARAN Downey may be still a novice of senior football, but the classy play-maker has a big future in the game and he’s hoping Sunday is the just the start of big things for this Blues’ team.
Quite a few of Ronan Phillips’ starting XV are freshfaced minor graduates, but it was a golden era for the Newfoundwell outfit and Downey feels the experience and winning habit should stand to his young colleagues.
‘I know a senior final is going to be a completely different ball game but the minor finals are played before the senior and I think it will stand to us.
‘We seem to have a good track record in finals, and hopefully on Sunday we can keep it going.’
It helps that the more experienced players in the squad have been there and done that, winning county titles in 2013 and 2008 and Downey insists that you can’t help but be impressed and inspired by them.
‘To be playing the likes of Andy, Hugh and Colm Judge and Stephen Moonan is amazing. They have real experience, and it’s going to be nice to share the field with them for a senior final.
‘I’m 20 years of age, but these lads that have been there and done it. It’s going to be massive for us a group to hopefully get over the line. We’ll have a good crack at it.’
Bringing the younger players through was crucial, however, and Downey is delighted that they have been able to make the step up so seamlessly.
‘It’s brilliant. I’m delighted to get to a final at 20 years of age, which is a massive achievement for myself and the young lads down here that have shown they can make the transition from minor into senior..
‘It’s a young team, but we need to bring young lads through. Over the last few years we mightn’t have had as many coming through as we’d like.
‘But the last few minor teams are stepping up now and we’re starting to get into the groove of senior football.
‘We struggled a bit at the start of the year, to get lads together and get a good push on. Teams seemed to get the run on us a little bit. But the Blues always come good in Championship, and I think we’re moving well now and we’re going to have a good crack at this.’