The Official Cavan GAA Discussion thread.

Tom Joad

I wouldn't disagree with celt on that to be honest.. McKeever is a loss..

McKeever is a big loss. Fermanagh are without their star forward and their captain though so they won't be fully happy with the team they are fielding either. Barry Reilly is a good option to bring into the team. Apart from the composure and class he brings, he's a leader on the field.

Good to get home to Breffni for this game too. 5 points having only played 1 game at home is good going.

Tom Joad

KeepTheFaith wrote: »

McKeever is a big loss. Fermanagh are without their star forward and their captain though so they won't be fully happy with the team they are fielding either. Barry Reilly is a good option to bring into the team. Apart from the composure and class he brings, he's a leader on the field.

Good to get home to Breffni for this game too. 5 points having only played 1 game at home is good going.

Barry Reilly is a good sub to bring on - only concern is that he's very light - also coming back from a bad injury.

Breffni hopefully will be rocking Saturday night especially given the weekend that's in it - big boost for the town too. Lads should be well up for it - know Fermanagh well and game last week will have ensured that morale is good without getting carried away. Its a long time since I was looking forward to a game so much ... exciting times

augustus gloop

with Keating back, Hyland could quit possibly play Givney WHF, not saying I would agree with it, but he could. i always wondered about o Meara in nets.... I mean he was 2nd choice last year for BBoro let alone the county. Poor kickouts and does not fill me with confidence under a high ball.
I mean this is ultra skeptical but I kinda always got the feeling he surrounded himself with the right people and his work aids that, I just always got the impression if your a half decent keeper and knocking around breffni you could sneak a game with the u21s and possibly move up the grades, maybe im just mad....
anyway i still think he is a crap keeper

augustus gloop

augustus gloop wrote: »

with Keating back, Hyland could quit possibly play Givney WHF, not saying I would agree with it, but he could. i always wondered about o Meara in nets.... I mean he was 2nd choice last year for BBoro let alone the county. Poor kickouts and does not fill me with confidence under a high ball.
I mean this is ultra skeptical but I kinda always got the feeling he surrounded himself with the right people and his work aids that, I just always got the impression if your a half decent keeper and knocking around breffni you could sneak a game with the u21s and possibly move up the grades, maybe im just mad....
anyway i still think he is a crap keeper

Extremely harsh. O'Mara didn't "sneak a game" with the U21s because he had made the right contacts. He was with Cavan since the U16 development squads and played Minor before graduating with his teammates to U21. Do you remember the saves he made against Fermanagh U21s in 2011? The multiple saves he made against Wexford when they were pushing for a goal near the end? Of course there's a lot more to a goalkeeper than shot stopping, his kickouts may need some work but he's young. I also don't recall any fumbles under a high ball before the one v Sligo. And you can add the fantastic save before that to the list of great saves he has made for Cavan.

James Reilly has twice been All Star Nominated but he has made mistakes too. Cost us 2 goals v Wexford in the first round of the League last year. Remember him going on a dribbling run outside his own box v Kildare in the qualifiers?

Lemlin

augustus gloop wrote: »

with Keating back, Hyland could quit possibly play Givney WHF, not saying I would agree with it, but he could. i always wondered about o Meara in nets.... I mean he was 2nd choice last year for BBoro let alone the county. Poor kickouts and does not fill me with confidence under a high ball.
I mean this is ultra skeptical but I kinda always got the feeling he surrounded himself with the right people and his work aids that, I just always got the impression if your a half decent keeper and knocking around breffni you could sneak a game with the u21s and possibly move up the grades, maybe im just mad....
anyway i still think he is a crap keeper

Who was first choice for Bailieboro? Gilsenen?

cournioni

Lemlin wrote: »

Who was first choice for Bailieboro? Gilsenen?

James Cooney was in goal for most of last year I believe, he was pretty solid any time I saw him. I don't know what the story is with O'Mara or Gilsenan.

Very harsh on O'Mara. He's a good shot stopper and very agile, his best years are ahead of him.

Tom Joad

KeepTheFaith wrote: »

Extremely harsh. O'Mara didn't "sneak a game" with the U21s because he had made the right contacts. He was with Cavan since the U16 development squads and played Minor before graduating with his teammates to U21. Do you remember the saves he made against Fermanagh U21s in 2011? The multiple saves he made against Wexford when they were pushing for a goal near the end? Of course there's a lot more to a goalkeeper than shot stopping, his kickouts may need some work but he's young. I also don't recall any fumbles under a high ball before the one v Sligo. And you can add the fantastic save before that to the list of great saves he has made for Cavan.

James Reilly has twice been All Star Nominated but he has made mistakes too. Cost us 2 goals v Wexford in the first round of the League last year. Remember him going on a dribbling run outside his own box v Kildare in the qualifiers?

Well said KeepThe Faith - O'Mara has been involved with the county team for along time and while not the finished article he's a fine keeper.

Where does he play for his club, when he's second choice keeper?? Is this a bit like arguing that Stephen Cluxton is not first choice keeper for Parnells?

Re the mad solo run by James Reilly -he only done that because nobody wanted the ball from him... Anyway every keeper needs to be a bit mad..

Tom Joad

Actually meant to say as well - well done to the Minor hurlers who beat Tyrone by 18 points last weekend - looks like some of the work being done in Cavan hurling is beginning to pay off.

celt262

cournioni wrote: »

James Cooney was in goal for most of last year I believe, he was pretty solid any time I saw him. I don't know what the story is with O'Mara or Gilsenan.

Very harsh on O'Mara. He's a good shot stopper and very agile, his best years are ahead of him.

Conor Gilsenan(spelling?) is now playing for Killinkere and is 3rd choice Cavan keeper so should be on the bench Saturday evening.

On O'Mara, he is dodgy under the highball there was cases during the U21's that he made errors. Good shot stopper but poor enough kick out.

augustus gloop

sorry lads im not saying what i wrote was the truth, i am just skeptical, im sorry though, if a keeper has a bad kickout he should not be anywhere near your county senior team, come on now lads get real here!

cournioni

augustus gloop wrote: »

sorry lads im not saying what i wrote was the truth, i am just skeptical, im sorry though, if a keeper has a bad kickout he should not be anywhere near your county senior team, come on now lads get real here!

You're entitled to your opinion just like anybody else here augustus. Who do you recommend?

Tom Joad wrote: »

Where does he play for his club, when he's second choice keeper?? Is this a bit like arguing that Stephen Cluxton is not first choice keeper for Parnells

He doesn't play elsewhere afaik.

Tom Joad

augustus gloop wrote: »

sorry lads im not saying what i wrote was the truth, i am just skeptical, im sorry though, if a keeper has a bad kickout he should not be anywhere near your county senior team, come on now lads get real here!

you're entitled to your opinion (even if I don't agree :-) ) - that's what makes for a healthy debate. I don't see a lot of bailieboro so can't comment on his club performance but it is a wee bit odd that's he's not first choice esp if he doesn't play outfield.

But in saying all that, from what I've seen off him he is a good keeper, does need to work on his kickouts esp when we have 2 excellent fielders of the ball around the middle (I'm including Givney here). Re the high ball, I myself don't recall any clangers for the under 21s but I'm not saying they haven't happened. Interesting slant on the one in sligo is that Michael Hannon in the Celt put it down to the sun in his eyes..

Anyway for me O'Mara has the potential to be our no. 1 for many years to come - he's young and will make mistakes on the way but shouldn't be given a hard time for this. James Reilly is a good keeper and is no.1 for the present but also needs to knuckle down and work on his game..

Mardy Bum

Paul Brady plays Robbie McCarthy of Mullingar tomorrow in the All Ireland 40X20 final in Abbeylara. The game is down for 5.30.

Cavan's greatest athlete is looking to further increase his "legacy of greatness".

Lemlin

Team for tomorrow night announced:

@CavanCoBoardGaa: JReilly,KBrady,JMcEnroe, OMinagh, PReilly,AClarke,DO'Reilly,TCorr,GMcKiernan,CMackey,MReilly,KMeehan,NMcDermott,MDunne,DGivney Sat 7pm KBP

Padraig Reilly comes back so Meehan moves into the half forwards to replace McKeever.

No starting positions for Barry Reilly or Keating.

James Reilly in for O'Meara as expected.

Tom Joad

Wonder what the delay in naming the team was - meant to be named last night. Had heard today that Cian Mackey was struggling - good to see him named as losing himself and McKeever would have been big blows to the system Terry is employing..

Lemlin

Not looking good at the minute. Down a man to a red card and losing by a point at half time.

Fermanagh are talking to each other alot more and seem to be more experienced. Canavan has them very fit as you'd expect.

It'll take some effort to get a victory here.

Mardy Bum

Paul Brady wins his 10th singles All Ireland trophy.

Phenomenal.

Lemlin

Very annoyed with the penalty decision at the end. I was right at the side of that goal and I can't see how the ref decided it was a foul from where he was standing.

Fermanagh deserved their win and should of had the game put to bed by then by Cavan were only a point behind at that stage and the game hinged on it.

Tom Joad

Lemlin wrote: »

Very annoyed with the penalty decision at the end. I was right at the side of that goal and I can't see how the ref decided it was a foul from where he was standing.

Fermanagh deserved their win and should of had the game put to bed by then by Cavan were only a point behind at that stage and the game hinged on it.

Tbh was hugely disappointed in the keeper - for a big man who pulled 3 certain points from over the bar he never went for a high ball all night and for me it was a stonewall penalty - he dragged the forward down blatantly.. A far cry from the all-star nominated keeper he once was..

Hugely frustrating night all around but don't want to be critical of what is a very honest team who are training hard and trying to do the right things.

Fermanagh were the better team - simple as that and if they had a bit more composure they would have cantered home.

Couple of things.

1. the crowd - I know it was a bad night but still was a disappointing crowd - a lot left before the end too - what do people want of this team - win every game in the first ten minutes??

2. McKeever was a massive loss, Mackey started well but clearly was struggling with a knock and was puffing hard - with that we lost our two usual dirty ball winners and attack starters.

3. David Givney will have few more furstrating games for Cavan - honest as the day is long but was unlucky tonight. McKiernan wasn't his usual dominant self either. Kevin Meehan is a better footballer than he showed tonight.

4. The sending off - biggest Cavan problem for as long as i can recall -indiscipline and sheer stupidity -yes his man dragged him down but you don't walk across him - needs to apologise to his teammates for the sheer stupidity of it and after only 7 minutes too - allowed McCloskey to run the game from then on.

5. Eugene Keating was the right man to bring in but unfortunately had to hunt too deep for ball - Barry Reilly was playing well and was trying to be the playmaker until he got subbed - looks a real prospect..

Overall, we were flat and second best tonight and promotion is probably gone but need two good performance to end on a high.

I hope there is a bigger crowd in Breffni on Wed night for the Under 21s game against Monaghan.

celt262

Kick-outs killed us tonight, at least 3 in a row went straight down the middle into no mans land and were picked up by Fermanagh, in fact the majority went down the middle with the 2 midfielders out to the wings.

Sending off was a disaster, i don't know what is in these lads heads that they have to get involved and do stupid things.

augustus gloop

cournioni wrote: »

You're entitled to your opinion just like anybody else here augustus. Who do you recommend?


He doesn't play elsewhere afaik.

he plays no other position.... i would like to see the young chap from Cuchulainns brought in young, but fantastic in every dept, or even givneys brother Jonathan from Mountnugent, big able guy huge kick and seems high enough quality all round.

Lemlin

Tom Joad wrote: »

Tbh was hugely disappointed in the keeper - for a big man who pulled 3 certain points from over the bar he never went for a high ball all night and for me it was a stonewall penalty - he dragged the forward down blatantly.. A far cry from the all-star nominated keeper he once was..

Hugely frustrating night all around but don't want to be critical of what is a very honest team who are training hard and trying to do the right things.

Fermanagh were the better team - simple as that and if they had a bit more composure they would have cantered home.

Couple of things.

1. the crowd - I know it was a bad night but still was a disappointing crowd - a lot left before the end too - what do people want of this team - win every game in the first ten minutes??

2. McKeever was a massive loss, Mackey started well but clearly was struggling with a knock and was puffing hard - with that we lost our two usual dirty ball winners and attack starters.

3. David Givney will have few more furstrating games for Cavan - honest as the day is long but was unlucky tonight. McKiernan wasn't his usual dominant self either. Kevin Meehan is a better footballer than he showed tonight.

4. The sending off - biggest Cavan problem for as long as i can recall -indiscipline and sheer stupidity -yes his man dragged him down but you don't walk across him - needs to apologise to his teammates for the sheer stupidity of it and after only 7 minutes too - allowed McCloskey to run the game from then on.

5. Eugene Keating was the right man to bring in but unfortunately had to hunt too deep for ball - Barry Reilly was playing well and was trying to be the playmaker until he got subbed - looks a real prospect..

Overall, we were flat and second best tonight and promotion is probably gone but need two good performance to end on a high.

I hope there is a bigger crowd in Breffni on Wed night for the Under 21s game against Monaghan.

I'd have to disagree re the penalty. Reilly caught the ball and fumbled it on the way down, the Fermanagh man had it but all Reilly was trying to do was win it back. I was right to the side of that goal in the terrace so had a great view of it. The referee didn't so I think he has to give the benefit of doubt to the defending team.

I was disappointed by James though and did have worries about him before the game as I said here. I hear he's a poor trainer and to me it shows. His kick outs were very poor as mentioned above.

I think other teams know about Mackey now. Fermanagh were cynical at times and any time he went to run he was fouled. He was doing far too much work in the half back line and not the half forward line anyway but that wasn't his fault.

I was surprised by Reilly being taken off. I would have pulled off Martin Reilly or Meehan, neither of whom I'm a big fan of.

I thought Mossy Corr's physicality was missed at midfield as well. The decision not to start him didn't really work out although a few in the stand did mention he apparently had a knock.

Meath and Monaghan will go up now IMO. I can see both winning all their remaining games.

Edit: was late in and missed the sending off (yes it happened that early!) so can't comment on it.

celt262

celt262 wrote: »

Conor Gilsenan(spelling?) is now playing for Killinkere and is 3rd choice Cavan keeper so should be on the bench Saturday evening.

On O'Mara, he is dodgy under the highball there was cases during the U21's that he made errors. Good shot stopper but poor enough kick out.

I take back what i said about his kick outs.

While he may not get massive distance he always puts it over the midfielder head and that is important. I would have him as our number 1 keeper now when fit.

Tom Joad

I'd have to disagree re the penalty. Reilly caught the ball and fumbled it on
the way down, the Fermanagh man had it but all Reilly was trying to do was win
it back. I was right to the side of that goal in the terrace so had a great view
of it. The referee didn't so I think he has to give the benefit of doubt to the
defending team.


I was disappointed by James though and did have worries about him before the
game as I said here. I hear he's a poor trainer and to me it shows. His kick
outs were very poor as mentioned above.

Yeah we don't have the benefit of replays but point is that that ball (and a few others) shoudl have been met by the keeper at the highest point - while i agree with what others are saying about kick-outs and their importance, it is criminal to have a keeper at this level who cannot claim high ball, causes panic amongst the fullbacks...

I think other teams know about Mackey now. Fermanagh were cynical at times and
any time he went to run he was fouled. He was doing far too much work in the
half back line and not the half forward line anyway but that wasn't his fault.

He was a doubt on Friday with a knock and to me that showed - Canavan also had a plan to stop him and it worked but I could see how hard he was puffing after a great start... he'll be back stronger so not too worried about that - he missed McKeever sharing the load too..

I was surprised by Reilly being taken off. I would have pulled off Martin
Reilly or Meehan, neither of whom I'm a big fan of.

I thought Mossy Corr's physicality was missed at midfield as well. The
decision not to start him didn't really work out although a few in the stand did
mention he apparently had a knock.


Meath and Monaghan will go up now IMO. I can see both winning all their
remaining games.

Wouldn't disagree with any of that..

Edit: was late in and missed the sending off (yes it happened that early!) so
can't comment on it.

7 mins on the clock when it happened :eek: it was stupid and needless and in front of the ref and probably lost us the game..

Tom Joad

celt262 wrote: »

I take back what i said about his kick outs.

While he may not get massive distance he always puts it over the midfielder head and that is important. I would have him as our number 1 keeper now when fit.

Would like to see someone else tried for last two games of league - worth a gamble - struggling to think off who though, Farrelly from Kingscourt maybe??

Lemlin

Hyland has explained in a post match interview (its on the Official Cavan GAA Twitter page and is from YouTube) that Corr didn't start because he was flued all week, hadn't attended work and they didn't expect he'd be fit to play for 70 minutes.

Mark McKeever got engaged in New York so that's why he was away. I doubt he'll be back to start the Wicklow game.

Next big match though is the U21s opening their Ulster title defence on Wednesday. Monaghan are meant to be a good side and will give them a tough game.

Monaghan have an excellent U21 side. They are 11/8 to win the game, in Breffni, against the reigning Champions. That in itself shows that they are decent. Donegal by comparison are 3/1 to beat Tyrone. Possible team for me might be

1. Gilsenan
2. McLoughlin -Has been extremely impressive in challenge games I hear
3. Clarke
4. Sankey
5. Sexton
6. Moynagh (although I think he might be out injured still)
7. Gerard Smith
8. Mooney
9. Paul Graham
10. Feargal Flanagan
11. Jack Brady
12. Joe Dillon
13. Paul O'Connor
14. Conor Madden
15. Enda O'Reilly

McEvoy, Graham, McVeety, Conor Smith, Conroy, will all push hard for starting places too. Hopefully Peter can get the right balance. It's a decent team and almost every lad has an Ulster medal at Minor or U21 or both. But our collapse against Longford in the Hastings Cup is a worry. This is no longer Terry's team. All the pressure is on Cavan, we are now the scalp that people will want to take, especially Monaghan. We have the talent to match Monaghan at the very least, to win we need to want it more and not be content in our new found reputation at this level.

cavan4sam

best of luck to the under 21's tonight
lets hope we can pull another one over on the auld enemy
on the seniors chances, i think another year at division 3 level will be no harm
a lot of young players will benefit from this year and i doubt if they would have been ready for division 2 in any case .

Lemlin

I would of thought Conroy would start seeing as he was a regular starter last year once Barry Reilly was missing.