Cross won’t boss us, says ’Castle manager
However, he insisted his team won’t be bullied in their first-ever decider. Last year, it was anecdotally reported Rangers verbally intimidated St Brigid’s players.
As a member of the Roscommon club, who were vanquished by Garrycastle in last month’s semi-final, Cunningham would be familiar with their experience 12 months ago.
He was at the game, and anticipates Crossmaglen, as they bid for a sixthtitle, will call on all their reserves to outdo final virgins Garrycastle.
“They’re a very seasoned team and they definitely draw on all aspects of the game,” he said. “But we’lldefinitely be fully right for the match.
“We won’t be lacking... we have seen now what Brigid’s did last year and we’ll build on that we’ll use that.
“We’re there on merit. It’s a 50-50 match for us and that’s the way we’re looking at it. We’ll be going all out to win it and so will Crossmaglen.
“It’s all about performance. It doesn’t matter what odds you are in a bookie or how many journalists back you in a paper. It doesn’t really matter.
“It matters about putting the ball over the bar or in the back of the net and it’s down to that, the same with any final of any sort. Croke Park is a special place but still it’s only a pitch. We will be focused on the right zone and be ready for the battle at 3.45.
“Every team, whether they be hurling or football, who gets to Croke Park is well prepared and mentally well rehearsed and gone through pre-routines and got a run-out on the pitch. That’s very valuable and something Crossmaglen have been through thick and thin. But having said that, it’s there for us to use the energy from that to drive us on.”
For the likes of the club’s inter-county veterans, the Dolans, Dessie and Gary, as well as David O’Shaughnessy,Cunningham, who has Galway’s trip to Cork to worry about on Sunday as well, believes winning the Andy Merrigan Cup would be a great finale to their careers.
“They’ve given fantastic entertainment to all the supporters here and the Westmeath supporters and it would be some way for them to finish it off. They’re ultra-professional, these guys, and they’re mad keen even now still to learn and to improve and go on and I sincerely hope they get their just rewards.”
Crossmaglen corner-back Paul McKeown admits the reigningAll-Ireland champions are keen tofinish off a most impressive campaign with as just a convincing final win.
Despite being lauded for their pleasing style of football in beating Dr Crokes last month, they’re still stung by some of the taunts last year.
“People have actually started to notice our game of football. They’re starting to talking about it now. Last year, some people probably thought we fluked our way through.
“It’s good to hear people like Pat Spillane on telly saying how good it was to see football like that, especially for the management because they have put in a lot of hours trying to get us playing that way. It’s been hard work.”
McKeown admits they’re motivated by the possibility of not having their captain Stephen Kernan available on Saturday due to suspension.
“In a way, it does because all of the players have been at training the last couple of weeks. Stephen has missed two training sessions (because of a hearing and an appeal) and we have to gear ourselves up that this is the way it might have to be.
“I think we’re going to have put our heads down and work that bit harder because he has led us here. He’s been fantastic all year.”
McKeown has only seen the dvd of Garrycastle’s semi-final but that doesn’t mean he’s underestimating them.
“Last year against St Brigids, everybody thought it was going to be a walk in the park for us. We came in at half-time a point down so it’s about trying to keep the heads right in the lead-up to the game. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
