Mallow footballers eager to build on mixed season after avoiding relegation playoff

For Mallow, the difference between victory and defeat came down to thin margins.

A four-point loss to Castlehaven. A three-point loss to Newcestown.

Their 2-20 to 1-15 victory over Valley Rovers on Sunday staved off a Premier SFC relegation decider.

“It is easy to go in to the Castlehaven game the first day out and the mindset was we had a free shot, a perception,” manager Andrew Cashman said. “But we saw a lot more in that game for us. We took down the Barrs last year in the group stage.”

“Any time you get to play one of the top teams that Castlehaven are, it is a privilege to test yourselves and see where you are. And, unfortunately, we felt we left the result behind us. We were very inefficient in our shooting.

“We knew Newcestown were going to be a serious battle, a lot better team than they probably get credit for, because they have some fantastic footballers. Most of that game went well, but the last six minutes things went a bit frantic. We were disappointed how we controlled that.

“We’ve had 120 minutes of championship football and 114 of those weren’t bad, but it is fine margins.

We have to take it on the chin and make sure when we’re in those positions again next year, we’re able to deal with them better.” 

They were in the right frame of mind against Valleys.

“We came up against two good teams in Castlehaven and Newcestown and didn’t get a result, so that is what put us in this position today.

“Delighted for the lads; the mood is good now and we can build on that going forward.

“In the context of the game, that’s all that mattered, ultimately, was to get the win. We all knew what we were facing, the same position as the Valley Rovers lads.

“So, it was about putting two points on the board and drawing a line under the season. It is finishing earlier than we would have liked, but that’s what happens when you’re playing at the top level.” 

GROUNDWORK

The groundwork was done against the wind in the first half.

“As usual, we didn’t win the toss, I must talk to the captain on that one; we haven’t won a toss all year,” he joked. “We had intended to play into it, if we did win the toss. It was about keeping it tight, being disciplined. And closing that half out.

“What I loved about the lads in the first half was, there was a lot of intent. 

There was no anxiety, wondering if this was going to go one way or the other. 

"They went in a very positive manner from the get-go. I thought they showed a lot of control and a lot of experience. Maybe that is what you get out of a disappointing result, like the Newcestown game.”

The Mallow hurlers are in a relegation play-off against Castlemartyr next weekend.

“A lot of our lads are directly involved in that group and they’ve been building really well this year. It is important we take the energy from today in to the week for the lads.

“I’ll tell you one thing for sure, we’ll all be on the bank roaring them on and, hopefully, they’ll get over the line.”