O'Toole reflects on dramatic day as St Loman's retain their title

St Loman's Mullingar centre-forward, Ronan O'Toole, was a relieved man after his side captured their eleventh Westmeath Senior Football Championship title in dramatic fashion. St Loman's edged out rivals The Downs in a replay at TEG Cusack Park on penalties, with the game ending 1-10 apiece after normal time.

Extra-time failed to separate them (1-15 to 2-12) meaning penalties were used to determine the outcome. The shootout, in which St Loman's triumphed 3-0, was a tense finish to a pulsating contest, and O'Toole acknowledged the significance of the win.

"It’s actually my seventh senior title; some players have eight," O'Toole clarified. “But it's still a huge achievement. Every time I do one of these interviews, I say this is the sweetest one yet, and this time it's true. The manner of the win - it was so up and down. Thank God I was playing and not watching because it was nerve-racking. It was tit for tat all the way, but when John (Heslin) put that in the back of the net, it was pure relief."

Reflecting on the game, O'Toole pointed to a strong first half performance from his team, but acknowledged The Downs' resilience. "We got the start we wanted, went well ahead, but The Downs showed real character. We had a bit of a breeze in the second half, so we were confident enough, but then they got the goal at a key time, and it was back to tit for tat again. They really put us under pressure in the third quarter."

The match was a rollercoaster, with both sides exchanging leads in a gripping encounter. "We were a point down with about 15 minutes to go, and we had to show real character," said O'Toole. "I don't think this group gets enough credit for the resilience we’ve shown. We’ve had a lot of tight games over the years: Tyrrellspass went to extra-time in one final; we played Garrycastle in a replay in 2021, and we’ve often come out on top. It's a testament to the belief in the group and the hard work everyone has put in, including the management."

The St Loman's squad, under the guidance of an experienced backroom team, has benefitted from rigorous preparation and analysis. "The management this year has been excellent, with Paddy Dowdall and Philly Wolfe just great," O'Toole continued. "The amount of analysis they do, along with Alan Bracken, Peter Foy with our strength and conditioning; everyone has bought into it. Club football is nearly at the same level as county football was three or four years ago. It’s almost like a full-time job now, with gym work, nutrition, and training. And you still have to go out and perform and do your day job too."

In a game that went to the wire, the experience of St Loman's key players made the difference. O'Toole singled out goalkeeper Jason Daly for special praise: "Jason is the best ‘keeper in the county in my opinion. He saved us today, literally. Nobody enjoys penalties, but they’re necessary, and once Jason made that first save, it gave us an advantage. But we still had to keep our nerve and tuck them away."

The win now sets the Mullingar blues up for a tilt at Leinster honours, with the Mullingar side looking to build on their county success. It was put to the star forward that a Leinster title is the one thing that’s missing from his side's great record and he acknowledged just how seriously competitive it is at that level.

"I think we play the Meath champions, but these county titles are so hard won. We’ll enjoy this one first, because who knows when you’ll get another chance. You have to enjoy these days."

As celebrations kicked off, O'Toole was already looking forward to marking the occasion with his teammates and the wider club community. "I’m going to enjoy the celebrations, enjoy chatting to the likes of Rodney Martin and Gary Devine, who do so much for the club.

“They’re the people you want to see with a smile on their face. I can’t wait for the celebrations."

For St Loman's, the victory marks another chapter in their recent dominance of Westmeath football, and with players like O'Toole, Daly and Heslin leading the charge, they will now turn their attention to greater ambitions in the provincial series.