The Official Cavan GAA Discussion thread.

Lemlin

Tom Joad wrote: »

It's another option all right and something you could see happening - put the two of them up there and have Dunne and Mc Dermott feeding off breaks - you could then leave McKeever and Mackey to sit and protect the backs but to be the link men to carry ball and get it up to the lads.

As I've said here before the big positive at the minute is that we have now options both in terms of players and systems.

Not sure if you noticed Tom but McKeever isn't starting. He was away in New York last weekend and got engaged so I doubt he was back and ready in time for this game.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him sprung from the bench.

Tom Joad

Lemlin wrote: »

Not sure if you noticed Tom but McKeever isn't starting. He was away in New York last weekend and got engaged so I doubt he was back and ready in time for this game.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him sprung from the bench.

I was talking in general as I think that will be how we could set up come championship time.. can't see McKeever being involved today.

Lemlin

Just in and see Cavan won 14 points to 11. Great result for the lads and I'd imagine that ensures safety.

scoopmine

Ross beat our neighbors by a point does that put us in with a chance in beffni in two weeks?

Lemlin

scoopmine wrote: »

Ross beat our neighbors by a point does that put us in with a chance in beffni in two weeks?

I think it does but who do Monaghan play in their last game?

I don't think we can finish above Fermanagh now even if they lose to Meath as we can only level their points tally.

Meath can also finish above us if they win their last two games which I can see them doing.

Lemlin

scoopmine wrote: »

Ross beat our neighbors by a point does that put us in with a chance in beffni in two weeks?

A very slim chance. We'd need Meath to lose one game of their remaing two and for Monaghan to lose.

Who do Monaghan play?

celt262

Antrim at home.

Tom Joad

Good result today - was listening on Northern Sound and always seemed to have that wee bit extra. Martin Dunne seemed to have a good game and nice to see Barry Reilly come on and have a good game again..

Roscommon result gives us an outside chance of promotion - was trying to work out what we need to happen but my head hurts after trying - Antrim beating Meath would be a good start.

What happens if we finish level with Fermanagh - is it head to head results that decides??

Lemlin

Tom Joad wrote: »

Good result today - was listening on Northern Sound and always seemed to have that wee bit extra. Martin Dunne seemed to have a good game and nice to see Barry Reilly come on and have a good game again..

Roscommon result gives us an outside chance of promotion - was trying to work out what we need to happen but my head hurts after trying - Antrim beating Meath would be a good start.

What happens if we finish level with Fermanagh - is it head to head results that decides??

AFAIK it's head to head.

Tom Joad

So we can't catch Fermanagh. Therefore if we beat Roscommon (big if), we need Antrim or Fermanagh to beat Meath (quite possible) and Antrim to beat Monaghan in Clones (can't really see that happening tbh).

Pete_Cavan

I dont think promotion this year would be good for us, we would most likely come straight back down with not much to show for our 2014 league campaign. It has been a decent year so far; we have consolidated in Div. 3 and perhaps even established ourselves as one of the stronger teams, we have had good away wins in Navan and Aughrim and our only defeat in Breffni was to the table toppers but only after losing a man after 10 minutes.

We are still a young team and next year we will have another few lads graduating from the Under 21 conveyor belt to the senior squad who would benefit from adqpting to senior football and gaining confidence in Div. 3. We should have a stronger squad with a good mix of youth and experience for the 2014 season and should be pushing to win Div. 3 at that stage.

Obviously another win would be great but I think competing in Div. 2 next year would be too much too soon so the best outcome would be another win but for results to dictate that we dont go up. Like I said, this year has been good enough so far, the next goal is putting in a good performance against, and possibly beat, Armagh. That game will be a good benchmark and tell us where we are at. We should also be looking to get more than two championship matchs this year.

Lemlin

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

I dont think promotion this year would be good for us, we would most likely come straight back down with not much to show for our 2014 league campaign. It has been a decent year so far; we have consolidated in Div. 3 and perhaps even established ourselves as one of the stronger teams, we have had good away wins in Navan and Aughrim and our only defeat in Breffni was to the table toppers but only after losing a man after 10 minutes.

We are still a young team and next year we will have another few lads graduating from the Under 21 conveyor belt to the senior squad who would benefit from adqpting to senior football and gaining confidence in Div. 3. We should have a stronger squad with a good mix of youth and experience for the 2014 season and should be pushing to win Div. 3 at that stage.

Obviously another win would be great but I think competing in Div. 2 next year would be too much too soon so the best outcome would be another win but for results to dictate that we dont go up. Like I said, this year has been good enough so far, the next goal is putting in a good performance against, and possibly beat, Armagh. That game will be a good benchmark and tell us where we are at. We should also be looking to get more than two championship matchs this year.

I'd have to disagree to be honest. Teams improve by playing better teams and gaining experience. We've a young panel of players who have acquitted themselves very well in the toughest Division 3 I've seen in a while. An Armagh man even told me that he sees it as a tougher division this year than Division 2.

The great thing about our showing this year is that we have been competitive in every game. It's a long time since that happened. In the last two years we've been fighting for our lives on the last day of the league but this year we've held our own against every team in the Division and are safe with points to spare.

I don't think there's any hope of us being promoted, although it is still mathematically possible I think, but Roscommon will be a tough game and I think it'll really show how far these lads have come if they win. Roscommon showed yesterday their character when coming back to beat Monaghan and I don't know if the Brigids run took their eye off the ball but I was expecting them and Meath/Monaghan to be the main candidates for promotion. They're a very good side.

The main factor yesterday was that the panel was used well. Against Fermanagh it appeared weak but yesterday, by all accounts as I wasn't there, other players came in and picked up the baton when the likes of Givney had a poor game. This has been lacking from Cavan teams in the past.

One of our big problems has been relying on marquee players and when they don't perform, the team don't. This year though different players have stood up in each match and, when one has had an off day, others have performed in their place.

On the way home from the Fermanagh game, I listed to Donal Keoghan talk on Northern Sound about how the panel was sorely lacking because the U21s weren't available. It was his opinion that the U21s should have remained with the senior team.

I agree with his opinion that the changes were poor that night and I honestly think having the U21s and a stronger bench could have seen us win that match but I think the system works well and we should be teaching our lads to win at a younger level like they are now. For example, it was great experience for the U21s to dig in on Wednesday night and grind the win out in extra time against Monaghan. That'll serve them well in future years at senior level.

With the panel we have at the minute and the U21s coming back after their championship, I'm really looking forward to the Summer. I honestly think we have the talent there to be competitive against any team from Division 2 down. We're still a long way from the top 8 teams but I'd like to think that the qualifier draw might be kind for once.

Mr. Wong

Agree with Pete_Cavan, Cavan would be better off staying in Div3 as IMO they would be hockeyed in a good few games in Div2 which could dent young players confidence.

Lemlin

Mr. Wong wrote: »

Agree with Pete_Cavan, Cavan would be better off staying in Div3 as IMO they would be hockeyed in a good few games in Div2 which could dent young players confidence.

And what areas of the panel would you see as weak points? Any position from 1-15 you'd see us as particularly weak in? I'm interested in hearing your opinion as a neutral. We don't often get neutral opinions as Cavan are rarely shown on TV.

We got a hockeying off your own county last year in the Championship and it appears to have had the opposite effect - the lads have come back more determined than ever.

termon8r

any word on the venue for under 21 semi-final with down?

Lemlin

termon8r wrote: »

any word on the venue for under 21 semi-final with down?

It's in Brewster.

Mr. Wong

Lemlin wrote: »

And what areas of the panel would you see as weak points? Any position from 1-15 you'd see us as particularly weak in? I'm interested in hearing your opinion as a neutral. We don't often get neutral opinions as Cavan are rarely shown on TV.

We got a hockeying off your own county last year in the Championship and it appears to have had the opposite effect - the lads have come back more determined than ever.

While I'm no expert on the capabilities of this current Cavan team, they looked pretty gutless last year against us when the intensity was upped a few notches. The Cavan players seemed more interested in getting in sly digs at SJ when they should have being looking to get back into the game.

However, Cavan are a county capable of winning an Ulster title in the not too distant future if they can (for the want of a better phrase) get their shit together.

Having successful underage teams does not guarantee a good senior team, Laois are a perfect example of this. The young guys need nurturing onto the next level and I think Kieran McGeeney has done this for us. He has been involved with our U21s for a few years now and the fruits of his labour are beginning to blossom in the shape of Niall Kelly, Daniel Flynn, Paddy Brophy, Seán Hurley, Paul Cribbin et al. I can see big futures for these guys.

Tom Joad

I'm not too upset about missing out on promotion (as it looks likely we will) to be honest - I do think we would struggle in Division 2 at the moment and another year in Division 3 will do no harm at all.

I agree that the under 21s should stay together and away from the senior panel but again we see another of the issues with Cavan football - everyone has an opinion - wish people would just let Terry get on with the job - especially when they alread got a go..

For Cavan to really progress we have to beat Armagh - it really is a massive game for Cavan and we need to win it to show that we can do it in the championship.

Hammar

Lemlin wrote: »

It's in Brewster.

We must have played in Brewster more times than Fermanagh over the last 3/4 years!!!!

Tom Joad

While I'm no expert on the capabilities of this current Cavan team, they looked
pretty gutless last year against us when the intensity was upped a few notches.
The Cavan players seemed more interested in getting in sly digs at SJ when they
should have being looking to get back into the game.

You think that was gutless - you should have seen us v Cork with a certain SJ as captain in the qualifiers in 2010 :D but point taken re the intensity - what shocked me most about Seanie that day (apart from him wearing a white jersey) was his physique compared to when he played for Cavan - shows the difference between a Division 1 team and where Cavan are at..

However, Cavan are a county capable of winning an Ulster title in the not too
distant future if they can (for the want of a better phrase) get their shit together.



Having successful underage teams does not guarantee a good senior team, Laois
are a perfect example of this.

Would agree with you here and a bit like Kildare needing to win against a big team to get to the next level Cavan need a champiosnhip run this year, starting with beating Armagh

Tom Joad

Hammar wrote: »

We must have played in Brewster more times than Fermanagh over the last 3/4 years!!!!

It's our second home - i'd say our win percentage in Brewster is fairly impressive..

Hammar

Tom Joad wrote: »

I'm not too upset about missing out on promotion (as it looks likely we will) to be honest - I do think we would struggle in Division 2 at the moment and another year in Division 3 will do no harm at all.

I agree that the under 21s should stay together and away from the senior panel but again we see another of the issues with Cavan football - everyone has an opinion - wish people would just let Terry get on with the job - especially when they alread got a go..

For Cavan to really progress we have to beat Armagh - it really is a massive game for Cavan and we need to win it to show that we can do it in the championship.

To be honest,Cavan would probably have competed well in Division 2 this year.
Westmeath
Laois
Derry
Galway
Louth
Wexford
Armagh
Longford

I wouldn't be afraid of us against 4 or 5 of those teams,although they would all fancy their chances against us. This was the first year in a long time,that the top 6-8 teams were all in Division 1. Next years Division 2 will have Down and another heavyweight(Mayo,Kerry or Donegal) in it so it will be invariably tougher than this years Division 2. So you're correct in saying another year in Division 3 might not be a bad thing.

Donal Keoghan should not be commenting on Cavan football and intend to be taken seriously given the absolute farcical nature of his tenure. His opinion means absolutely no more than anyone on here. We got our first two Ulster trophies in 15 years because of letting the U21s stay on their own and he wants to get rid of that.

We have a great record in Brewster, lost the final in 2010 to Donegal, then 2011 beat Fermanagh, Donegal and Tyrone. 2012 beat Derry and Tyrone there too. The Minor team from 2011 beat Tyrone there too which was really the turning point of that year, Conor Finnegan got 2 goals that day and Nevin O'Donnell swung the game when he came on.

Tom Joad

KeepTheFaith wrote: »

Donal Keoghan should not be commenting on Cavan football and intend to be taken seriously given the absolute farcical nature of his tenure. His opinion means absolutely no more than anyone on here. We got our first two Ulster trophies in 15 years because of letting the U21s stay on their own and he wants to get rid of that.

Couldn't agree more. Has way to much influence still around the county board..

Hammar

KeepTheFaith wrote: »

Donal Keoghan should not be commenting on Cavan football and intend to be taken seriously given the absolute farcical nature of his tenure. His opinion means absolutely no more than anyone on here. We got our first two Ulster trophies in 15 years because of letting the U21s stay on their own and he wants to get rid of that.

We have a great record in Brewster, lost the final in 2010 to Donegal, then 2011 beat Fermanagh, Donegal and Tyrone. 2012 beat Derry and Tyrone there too. The Minor team from 2011 beat Tyrone there too which was really the turning point of that year, Conor Finnegan got 2 goals that day and Nevin O'Donnell swung the game when he came on.

It is not as if we have 5 or 6 definite starters on the Senior team who are with the Under 21's. Jack Brady is a probable starter,Killian Clarke,Jason McLoughlin and probably Turloc Mooney will also be brought in to the Panel.There are no guarantees Clarke will start at full back over a fit Rory Dunne or an impressive James McEnroe. I don't see where Keoghan is coming from in trying to use it as an excuse for the Fermanagh game.

Tom Joad

Hammar wrote: »

I don't see where Keoghan is coming from in trying to use it as an excuse for the Fermanagh game.

He sees himself as getting another crack at the county job someday or next chair of the county board and likes to keep himself seen and heard so that we won't forget all the great things he has done for Cavan football.

Lemlin

Mr. Wong wrote: »

While I'm no expert on the capabilities of this current Cavan team, they looked pretty gutless last year against us when the intensity was upped a few notches. The Cavan players seemed more interested in getting in sly digs at SJ when they should have being looking to get back into the game.

However, Cavan are a county capable of winning an Ulster title in the not too distant future if they can (for the want of a better phrase) get their [COLOR="Black"]shi[/COLOR]t together.

Having successful underage teams does not guarantee a good senior team, Laois are a perfect example of this. The young guys need nurturing onto the next level and I think Kieran McGeeney has done this for us. He has been involved with our U21s for a few years now and the fruits of his labour are beginning to blossom in the shape of Niall Kelly, Daniel Flynn, Paddy Brophy, Seán Hurley, Paul Cribbin et al. I can see big futures for these guys.

The Kildare game came far too early for our lads and I think the media attention and whole spectacle of the day got to them. Terry made a few mistakes as well - playing 18 year old Killian Clark on O'Connor for example. It was just a day better resigned to memory.

The game was well lost when SJ entered the fray. I think most Cavan supporters took solace in the fact that Kildare are 5/6 years into their programme under management and we are only starting ours.

Our lads are carrying through the success to senior already though. David Givney for example has won Sigerson and Railway Cup medals this year already. Martin Reilly and Jack Brady also have Sigerson medals.

Have Kildare won anything at underage level? I know Wexford won Leinster in 11 because Cavan beat them in the semi and Dublin won it last year. I also don't recall seeing too much of them at minor.

Hammar

Tom Joad wrote: »

He sees himself as getting another crack at the county job someday or next chair of the county board and likes to keep himself seen and heard so that we won't forget all the great things he has done for Cavan football.

I have as much chance of getting the county job as Keoghan does. The carry on/drinking/socialising by the panel which went on in his time in charge is still widely discussed to this day and won't be forgotten any time soon. Paul Grimley and co walked away from the set-up for a reason. I wouldn't be suprised though to see him as a future county chairman though. He does put alot of money into football in the county to be fair and is held in high regard by many in GAA administration circles within the county.

Lemlin

Hammar wrote: »

It is not as if we have 5 or 6 definite starters on the Senior team who are with the Under 21's. Jack Brady is a probable starter,Killian Clarke,Jason McLoughlin and probably Turloc Mooney will also be brought in to the Panel.There are no guarantees Clarke will start at full back over a fit Rory Dunne or an impressive James McEnroe. I don't see where Keoghan is coming from in trying to use it as an excuse for the Fermanagh game.

I do think the U21s could have helped that night, particularly Jack Brady. Our forward line was lacking and we had little to bring off the bench. Whenever I see Niall Murray on the pitch, I get worried!

It would have been far better IMO if someone like Brady had started and Barry Reilly was sprung off the bench.

That said, the whole gameplan went out the window when Reilly got his marching orders.

We still have some talented forwards like Niall Smith and Kevin Tierney to come back into the panel from injury.

Hammar

One other point i also want to make is that the constant switching of David Givney between,Full forward,Centre Forward and Midfield is negatively affecting his game. Now i understand there is some thinking that Givney and McKiernan are too alike to play together,and Mossy Corr has been outstanding this year,but Hyland needs to sort out a position for Givney and let him get a run of games there.