Discipline key for winners, says Smyth

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Damien Donohoe

Cuchulainns finally got their hands on the Tommy Gilroy trophy on Sunday and, for 22-year-old captain Philip Smyth, the manner of the victory was as satisfying as the result. Standing on the Breffni Park sod moments after lifting the cup, Smyth was “over the moon” and quick to credit the team’s composure and preparation.

“Absolutely brilliant. I’m just delighted, over the moon with that,” he said, the smile barely leaving his face as teammates celebrated around him.

From the very first whistle Cuchulainns looked like a side on a mission. They rattled off eight unanswered points to open up a commanding lead and, crucially, never allowed Butlersbridge to settle. Smyth explained that the whirlwind start was not a fluke but the product of a deliberate approach.

“It was something we really emphasised in the dressing room before the game, being disciplined in how we attacked,” he said.

“It showed in those first few minutes, no rash shots, every effort was from a scoring zone. Adrian Taite was probably the only man who took one from outside and he still dropped it over. That came from management, they stressed it and we just executed it.”

That discipline meant Cuchulainns went through the first half without a single wide. The only real blemish came when Smyth himself was denied a goal by a brilliant Cathal Leddy intervention.

“I saw him coming out of the corner of my eye, thought I’d shoot early and he still got across. He did very well,” he smiled. “But it shows how good our attacking performance was in that first half.”

Much of the mental preparation, Smyth revealed, came from coach Ronan Flanagan. A man who experienced both heartbreak and glory on county-final day,

Flanagan hammered home the importance of focusing on performance rather than outcome.

“He told us you can think about what you like after the game, but it won’t matter if you don’t perform. That was the focus, and it carried through for most lads,” Smyth said.

Butlersbridge did mount a spirited fightback after the break, closing the gap and dragging the contest into the melting pot. It was then that Cuchulainns’ composure told again. Three quick scores, one from Ryan Tobin and two from Evan Doughty, restored a cushion the champions never relinquished.

“They were huge scores,” Smyth said.

“Again, that was down to discipline in our attack. We knew if we attacked properly and took the right shots we’d score. With the wind in the second half we just needed to get shots off in the right areas. The boys were brilliant, Tobin even fumbled one, got it back and still kicked it over. They were huge scores in that period.”

Attention now turns to the Ulster Intermediate Championship, where Cavan clubs have a proud record. Smyth insists the players will savour their county success before switching focus.

“We’ll enjoy this week first and then lock it up. We’ll be looking forward to that, they’re great occasions,” he said.

For the young captain, Sunday was a milestone.

“It’s a privilege to lead this team,” he reflected.

“Our full focus was on this game. Hopefully we can perform again and see where it takes us.”