Charlestown's underdogs up for ultimate challenge
Sunday November 29 2009
H UNGER has been the key to Charlestown's charge to the Connacht final, and now the toughest task of a long campaign lies in wait.
"If we want to be champions, we have to beat the best," says Tom Parsons ahead of today's clash with reigning champions Corofin.
For Charlestown, losing two consecutive Mayo county finals spurred them on to approach their third one against rivals Knockmore with a hunger that had been missing in previous years. Tired of being the also-rans, Parsons this year has sensed a different attitude and he hopes this will stand to them today.
Although only 21, Parsons has been a member of the Mayo team for the last three years, quickly earning the reputation as one of his county's great hopes for the future. He captained the Mayo U21 team last year and earned himself a place on Sean Boylan's international rules squad for the trip to Australia.
"I was 19 when I played my first county final and I was up against Ronan McGarrity from Ballina. You learn from these challenges and this year, after being in two county finals, I'm much more experienced."
Charlestown won the Connacht title eight years ago, but have only won three county championships. They're not as used to the big days as others, but when it comes to producing talent they have a fine pedigree. John Casey, who played in that infamous All-Ireland defeat to Meath, comes readily to mind. An injury prematurely ended his inter-county career but his resilience meant he recovered enough to be able to play for his club, albeit in goals.
"John is brilliant in goals; it's like having an extra player outfield," says Parsons. "I can hear him shouting from the half-way line, ordering players to be here, there and everywhere. He is exceptional. We tried some younger lads in the full-back line earlier in the year and they really felt comfortable. He is talking all the time, has great experience and is a ball handler as well; he knows the game inside and out."
While Parsons will have Casey to look to for guidance, he will have to play without his regular midfield partner, 35-year-old David 'Ginger' Tiernan, another club stalwart. The midfielder fractured his ankle in the semi-final win over Castlerea. Having soldiered in three county finals together, Parsons was well used to having Tiernan by his side.
"When Ginger got injured I was chatting to him and I said 'Well, feck you Ginger, I'm going to have to do a bit of running now'. Everywhere around the field he does the running, he really tracks back, gets ball and creates play. I'll have to lift my game and no better a stage to do it on than in a Connacht final.
"Teams at this stage of the competition have good strong panels, they just get up and get on with it. These opportunities don't come around too often so we'll be ready."
They will take the field as underdogs, with Corofin going for their fifth provincial title but Parsons doesn't mind. "They are number one in Connacht and it's up to us to knock them off the top spot."
- MARIE CROWE
Sunday Independent
