Carberry feels taking opportunites will be crucial in Sunday's Junior decider

It has been 20 years since St Joseph’s made it to the Westmeath junior football championship final, but manager Eoin Carberry says the players aren’t feeling weighed down by expectations.

The club last played the final in 2004 and so there’s great excitement around the parish in the run-up to the game. But as Carberry pointed out, some of the younger players on the panel weren’t even born at the time, so they’re taking it all in their stride.

“I think when people are talking about it being 20 years, it might add a bit of extra pressure on our lads, but it doesn’t seem to bother them really,” said the Rosemount man.

There’s certainly plenty of excitement around the parish as the team prepares to face Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall on Sunday (TEG Cusack Park, 1.15) but the lads are remaining focused.

“There is excitement, but it’s not too much,” said Eoin. “I’d say when it comes close to the game, things will probably build up a little bit more, but the lads are fairly focused. So we’re keeping our feet to the ground now, in fairness to them. There’s a lot at stake, I suppose, considering 2004 was the last one, so it would be great to get the win.”

It hasn’t been an easy route to the final, nor will it be an easy final to win. And, while the team are in flying form, Eoin says there is always room for improvement. “They’re a very young squad, so you’re probably not going to reach their full potential for maybe another couple of years,” he said.

“There’s always room for improvement, and look, we didn’t set the world alight throughout the championship, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter once you get to the final. It’s all about getting results.”

The opponents are the more experienced team, and “the opposite” of St Joseph’s, according to Eoin, but they also have some very young players too, which evens the playing field a bit.

“I think it’s going to be a fairly tight game. I suppose whoever takes their opportunities will have a better chance of winning the game,” he said.

Expecting the game to be decided in the last ten minutes, Carberry said: "I suppose it all depends on who wants it more once it reaches that point.”

The entire community of Streamstown and Horseleap are certain to be behind Carberry’s men as they bid to emulate the success of 2004.