The Official Cavan GAA Discussion thread.

I love this time of year. Before the ball is thrown-in, anything is possible (good or bad, and I tend towards optimism). And starting at home agains the old enemy under floodlights on a Saturday, what more could you ask for?

How are people feeling about this year? Last year was an unusual division two. Two teams way ahead of the pack,and one team that was completely hopeless. I predict this year will be cut-throat, and don't see anyone pulling away, and teams will take points of each other. Could be as nasty as 2020 when any number of teams could have gone up or gone down right at the end. Hopefully we get some luck this year.

Almost always a team that is relegated from division one goes back up, and given the Rossies experience, I think they will be the ones. Louth are the next team to watch, and they will be close to impossible to beat at home. Cork could as easily blitz teams as not show up and get tanked the next week. Monaghan usually start the league well but it's a different story getting fired up to play the Dubs in Croker. We've all being saying their panel is aging and has to decline, surely now is the time?

Meath are no great shakes and even with a new manager bounce, Westmeath are down bodies. I can't stand this Down team so I refuse to be objective and hope they are in a relegation fight.

I think we are good enough to be top half, and given that there are no stand out teams like last year with a bit of luck we could be one of the two going up.

The problem with Cavan is one thing which last season showed in spades - the one consistent thing about Cavan is our inconsistency.

Excellent wins against Kildare, Cork & Louth last year, plus a close loss to what championship showed to be a very good Donegal side, were mixed with a hammering by Armagh, a loss to an eventually relegated Fermanagh and, worse of all, a tepid draw in a terrible match against a useless Meath team.

It’s hard to know what the season will bring because it’s so difficult to predict what Cavan we’ll get on any given day. I think Roscommon will be promoted and then the rest of us are vying for second place. We’ll know a lot after the Monaghan game. Anything but a win against Meath the following week if week 1 doesn’t go well and we’re looking at relegation.

There’s not going to be anything easy about that second promotion slot. Louth & Cork showed very good form in championship last year. Louth played Armagh in a behind closed doors game at the weekend.

Very hard to get any info on it. McGuinness demanded it be behind closed doors and very few allowed in.

Game week. Finally. Cannot wait for Saturday evening. Monaghan will be tough, as always in the derby. McManus has retired (what a career by the way, we saw more than most what he can do on his day) but he likely wouldn't have had an impact this early league anyway. Challenges have seemingly gone well, I hope we've a grasp on the new rules and we get a great start here

Well between no McKenna Cup, the first chance to see the new rules in action, and it being a local derby, if we can’t get a crowd to Breffni this weekend, I don’t know when we will!

In fairness to Cormac he has been in and around there a few years and never become a mainstay. There has to be a reason for that.

I’m not saying it’s applicable to Cormac but I can think of at least one other forward who had bundles of talent but just didn’t seem to have the drive and determination needed to be an intercounty player.

That’s fair enough. Even club football is a big commitment at this stage.

Looking forward to the podcast with Kevin Egan as he had a fairly good reading on things last year and offers an unbiased opinion.

I know we don't know for certain who is fit but based on the WAC pod, anyone want to guess the starting 15? Not sure where Sigerson Cup has an impact or not or whether the Arva players are getting a rest.

Anways, here's my guess:

O Rourke, O'Connell, Gunner, Carolan, Faulkner, McVeety, Holla, Clarke, Molloy, Oisin Kiernan, Gerry Smith, Oisin Brady, Mc Evoy, James Smith, Lovett.

I agree with Cavan King that James Smith is not a full forward by any means but that's where he lines out mostly these days for Cavan. If we are going for space in the forward line Mc Evoy and Lovett seem like obvious runners with pace for one on ones.

I still think we are light in midfield but not sure what options there are. Wonder will the likes of Crowe start or come off the bench?

I agree, but he hasn't played much there at a county level. Is it a fitness thing?

He's not.

FFS why are players leaving before the league even starts.

Team announced:

O'Rourke, Caolan, O'Connell, Jason, Faulkner, McVeety, Kiernan, Clarke, Crowe, Holla, Gerry Smith, Molloy, O'Neill, Hames Smith, McEvoy

Subs: O'Donnell, Cian Reilly, Fortune, Peter Smith, McGeogh, Ryan Donohoe, TED, Curran, Tiarnan Madden, Lovett, Conor Madden,

I’m disappointed with the forward line to be honest. I actually hope there are changes to it before throw in. If they had any sense, James Smith wouldn’t start.

Gerry Smith & Ciaran Brady are natural half backs. James Smith is not a full forward. Luke Molloy is more a middle area player. McEvoy hasn’t played a competitive game in months (and even a club championship one in years) and Ryan O’Neill works hard but is not prolific.

Conor Madden is good off the bench but it mightn’t be harm to see him starting. There could also be place for Lovett. Paddy Lynch is a huge loss going on that line up.

Paddy Lynch named No. 27 on the program

Apparently Oisin Brady was taken off after 15 minutes in a 20 point plus defeat to Donegal last Friday night. He left as soon as he was taken off.

Tonight was poor. You won’t win many games if you can’t score frees and are that poor on your own kick out.

We look toothless up front but then the line up pointed to that. James Smith far more effective out the field when he can drive at people.

The play was far too slow. We don’t seem to counter quickly. Too much slowing it down. We won’t score goals unless we move the ball quickly.

Who decided that it was in the interest of football to make the goalkeeper the most important attacking player on the pitch? For me that rule will destroy the game of football.

As for the match, I am now very worried about us. Few of our top men off their game and we look hopeless. Mcevoy good but now power to break tackles. Clarke stupidly mouthing gets ball brought forward 3 times. Rest of the new players making little impact. Huge issue with free taking, need to sort outbthe issue with Oisin Brady. Lose to meath and we will be in big trouble.