Loman's taking it one game at a time, says Cox
Goal scoring hero TJ Cox was the toast of Lakepoint Park on Sunday as St Loman’s, Mullingar produced a dominant second half display to crush Castletown Liam Mellows of Wexford and qualify for the Leinster Club SFC semi-final.
“It was great to be back in the starting line-up; I just needed to take my opportunity when it came and it's great to be out playing again,” he beamed.
Cox said the Westmeath champions were focused on being patient and trusting in their ability to eventually break down the visitors.
“It was tight enough and we kind of exposed them in the second half. We had to be patient and keep the depth and width in the first half and it just paid off in the end: just frustrate them and don't go into contact.”
His second goal showed the kind of opportunism and skill needed from an inside forward. “I saw he (goalie) was out so I just ran up to the field just in case; we nicked the ball and that's exactly what happened and I was just there at the right time I suppose,” he recalled.
Cox’s return to form is a welcome boost for the blues. “It was just to be patient and trust the process,” he said of the half-time chat. “We had a game plan and we just stuck to the process and it worked.
“We had a gym session on Tuesday evening, and a little chat. It was a bit frustrating that the game got called off, but we had to bring everything back down and get the heads right again for today.”
Looking ahead to next Saturday’s semi-final, he said: “Ardee will be a tougher contest and we'll be ready for it. We’re definitely not looking beyond that game; we know full well you can’t do that, especially in the Leinster Championship. We’re back training on Tuesday and it’s great. It’s extra special when you have a home game.”
His manager Paddy Dowdall is certainly not getting carried away and was quick to point out that St Loman's will face a serious step up in class next weekend. He is aware of the threat posed by Ardee St Mary’s, and the inter-county experience at their disposal, but he’s looking forward to next Saturday’s semi-final battle.
“I’ve watched them there a couple of times. They’re a really good side. Last year, they got within five points of (Kilmacud) Crokes,” he said of St Mary’s who, like the Mullingar men, were defeated semi-finalists in 2023.
“They’re really organised. They have a couple of great players in the two Jacksons (Liam and Tom) and (Ciarán) Keenan up top, and then they obviously have Donal McKenny, an All Star nominee. He’s a top-class player and he’s shown it in the last couple of games.
“It’s going to take a huge performance from us again, and as I said, it’s about recovering and resetting, and getting ready to go again next weekend.”
Lakepoint Park is again the venue for Saturday’s semi-final (1.30pm).