Cavan Forum

Cavan Vs Down

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Replying To ondforty:  "I have watched and enjoyed many different and exciting Down teams over the years, usually at our expense.They always had a confidence and a swagger like the Dubs, and they played similar flair football.

However, last time we played them in Brewster I was shocked with their play. No other way to describe it but - pure dirt. It was awful and yes it takes two to tango but the Down discipline during and after the game was appalling.

Looks like they're back on form again, at least in terms of their second half style of play against Fermanagh. Is this a good thing or a bad thing for us? I mean, last time they clearly wanted a row, they got it and they lost it. Can we cope with them in an open game? For me, that would be the ideal."
Very dissapointed with your post, To be honest you would need to take those blinkers off, I was at that game ,Cavan players feining injury all over the pitch, maybe that was a planned before the game, going in heavy with knees and the like , If you re run the dvd like i did you will clearly see shocking Cavan ill discipline during AND after the game,We in Down like the good people of Cavan have no time for pure dirt in our game, We like to play the game the way it should be played, Never before ,have i ever heard anyone describe Down football as pure dirt, and im following them a very long time, Do we want an open game , of course we do, that would be ideal for us, May the best team win

germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 12/11/2020 19:34:03    2308128

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Replying To germac:  "Very dissapointed with your post, To be honest you would need to take those blinkers off, I was at that game ,Cavan players feining injury all over the pitch, maybe that was a planned before the game, going in heavy with knees and the like , If you re run the dvd like i did you will clearly see shocking Cavan ill discipline during AND after the game,We in Down like the good people of Cavan have no time for pure dirt in our game, We like to play the game the way it should be played, Never before ,have i ever heard anyone describe Down football as pure dirt, and im following them a very long time, Do we want an open game , of course we do, that would be ideal for us, May the best team win"
Not going to get into a row with you but fully stand by my post. Hope this is a better game and yes, may the best team win and good luck to them.

ondforty (Cavan) - Posts: 460 - 12/11/2020 20:21:44    2308157

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I tell you one thing, these last few games of Cavan football have given me a spring in my step. This is now a 5th weekend in a row of a Cavan team playing, and all credit and respect to the players and management. These games have been something to get excited about, to get you through the strange of a Covid working day, and something to look forward to. The sheer buzz of watching the Monaghan match with my Dad, both of us in masks, stuck in the sitting room, when the players clicked, and the scores flowed was unreal. The roars for another Galligan catch, and especially when cousin Galligan banged the winner have the dog still shook! The recording of the winner from Northern Sound is one each Cavan fan should have. Mickey's joyful face keep me smiling through the rain that next week.
The Antrim was tense, maybe a little slower, with a lot of nail biting and black cards to beat the band, but the team stood strong, and McKiernan and Brady led the team to victory. Down will be tough, of course they will. Have some pace in their team, and those red and black jerseys are always to be respected. Always found Down fans good fun, and fair. The game will be tight, and hopefully Cavan can come out on top. Cavan players have worked so hard, tried their best, and deserve a lot of respect for their effort. Its just so exciting to have Knockout Championship football. And hey, you just never ever know what will happen......Head down, and bull on lads! An Cabhán Abú

Breifne2020 (Cavan) - Posts: 2 - 12/11/2020 20:50:26    2308166

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Replying To Breifne2020:  "I tell you one thing, these last few games of Cavan football have given me a spring in my step. This is now a 5th weekend in a row of a Cavan team playing, and all credit and respect to the players and management. These games have been something to get excited about, to get you through the strange of a Covid working day, and something to look forward to. The sheer buzz of watching the Monaghan match with my Dad, both of us in masks, stuck in the sitting room, when the players clicked, and the scores flowed was unreal. The roars for another Galligan catch, and especially when cousin Galligan banged the winner have the dog still shook! The recording of the winner from Northern Sound is one each Cavan fan should have. Mickey's joyful face keep me smiling through the rain that next week.
The Antrim was tense, maybe a little slower, with a lot of nail biting and black cards to beat the band, but the team stood strong, and McKiernan and Brady led the team to victory. Down will be tough, of course they will. Have some pace in their team, and those red and black jerseys are always to be respected. Always found Down fans good fun, and fair. The game will be tight, and hopefully Cavan can come out on top. Cavan players have worked so hard, tried their best, and deserve a lot of respect for their effort. Its just so exciting to have Knockout Championship football. And hey, you just never ever know what will happen......Head down, and bull on lads! An Cabhán Abú"
Very well said.

blueman1903 (Cavan) - Posts: 884 - 12/11/2020 22:01:21    2308194

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Replying To Breifne2020:  "I tell you one thing, these last few games of Cavan football have given me a spring in my step. This is now a 5th weekend in a row of a Cavan team playing, and all credit and respect to the players and management. These games have been something to get excited about, to get you through the strange of a Covid working day, and something to look forward to. The sheer buzz of watching the Monaghan match with my Dad, both of us in masks, stuck in the sitting room, when the players clicked, and the scores flowed was unreal. The roars for another Galligan catch, and especially when cousin Galligan banged the winner have the dog still shook! The recording of the winner from Northern Sound is one each Cavan fan should have. Mickey's joyful face keep me smiling through the rain that next week.
The Antrim was tense, maybe a little slower, with a lot of nail biting and black cards to beat the band, but the team stood strong, and McKiernan and Brady led the team to victory. Down will be tough, of course they will. Have some pace in their team, and those red and black jerseys are always to be respected. Always found Down fans good fun, and fair. The game will be tight, and hopefully Cavan can come out on top. Cavan players have worked so hard, tried their best, and deserve a lot of respect for their effort. Its just so exciting to have Knockout Championship football. And hey, you just never ever know what will happen......Head down, and bull on lads! An Cabhán Abú"
My sentiments exactly
Declankillann

declankillann (Dublin) - Posts: 83 - 12/11/2020 22:34:01    2308202

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Replying To Breifne2020:  "I tell you one thing, these last few games of Cavan football have given me a spring in my step. This is now a 5th weekend in a row of a Cavan team playing, and all credit and respect to the players and management. These games have been something to get excited about, to get you through the strange of a Covid working day, and something to look forward to. The sheer buzz of watching the Monaghan match with my Dad, both of us in masks, stuck in the sitting room, when the players clicked, and the scores flowed was unreal. The roars for another Galligan catch, and especially when cousin Galligan banged the winner have the dog still shook! The recording of the winner from Northern Sound is one each Cavan fan should have. Mickey's joyful face keep me smiling through the rain that next week.
The Antrim was tense, maybe a little slower, with a lot of nail biting and black cards to beat the band, but the team stood strong, and McKiernan and Brady led the team to victory. Down will be tough, of course they will. Have some pace in their team, and those red and black jerseys are always to be respected. Always found Down fans good fun, and fair. The game will be tight, and hopefully Cavan can come out on top. Cavan players have worked so hard, tried their best, and deserve a lot of respect for their effort. Its just so exciting to have Knockout Championship football. And hey, you just never ever know what will happen......Head down, and bull on lads! An Cabhán Abú"
Fantastic post. Win, lose or draw on Sunday these lads have put in a huge effort. You hear Premier League managers whingeing about their players that are being paid hundreds of thousands being tired with hectic schedules but these lads are training and playing matches week on week and having to turn up for work Monday to Friday. That's dedication and commitment and, as Mickey Graham said, these are the 35 lads want to play for Cavan.
Let's all get behind the team because they have given us some great weekends during this terrible time and, with their fitness levels, it's easy to see the work that they've put in all year is really paying off.

BreffniGuide (Cavan) - Posts: 474 - 13/11/2020 07:06:35    2308234

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Replying To germac:  "Very dissapointed with your post, To be honest you would need to take those blinkers off, I was at that game ,Cavan players feining injury all over the pitch, maybe that was a planned before the game, going in heavy with knees and the like , If you re run the dvd like i did you will clearly see shocking Cavan ill discipline during AND after the game,We in Down like the good people of Cavan have no time for pure dirt in our game, We like to play the game the way it should be played, Never before ,have i ever heard anyone describe Down football as pure dirt, and im following them a very long time, Do we want an open game , of course we do, that would be ideal for us, May the best team win"
Was at that game myself. If it had gone to extra time I would've expected a large portion of both supporters to walk out. It was dire stuff and completely at odds with the historical battles Cavan/Down have played over the years. I often felt Cavan people have the height of respect (if not outright fondness) for Down football (more so than for any other county in Ulster) and I hope the game on Sunday will be played in a spirit that fits the occasion.

ramor101 (Cavan) - Posts: 289 - 13/11/2020 09:31:07    2308250

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Replying To Breifne2020:  "I tell you one thing, these last few games of Cavan football have given me a spring in my step. This is now a 5th weekend in a row of a Cavan team playing, and all credit and respect to the players and management. These games have been something to get excited about, to get you through the strange of a Covid working day, and something to look forward to. The sheer buzz of watching the Monaghan match with my Dad, both of us in masks, stuck in the sitting room, when the players clicked, and the scores flowed was unreal. The roars for another Galligan catch, and especially when cousin Galligan banged the winner have the dog still shook! The recording of the winner from Northern Sound is one each Cavan fan should have. Mickey's joyful face keep me smiling through the rain that next week.
The Antrim was tense, maybe a little slower, with a lot of nail biting and black cards to beat the band, but the team stood strong, and McKiernan and Brady led the team to victory. Down will be tough, of course they will. Have some pace in their team, and those red and black jerseys are always to be respected. Always found Down fans good fun, and fair. The game will be tight, and hopefully Cavan can come out on top. Cavan players have worked so hard, tried their best, and deserve a lot of respect for their effort. Its just so exciting to have Knockout Championship football. And hey, you just never ever know what will happen......Head down, and bull on lads! An Cabhán Abú"
Very well put just hope our lads aren't knackered it's a big ask for amateur players five weeks on the trot on heavy pitches.Down will be a lot fresher and if we are lucky enough to get through so will Armagh or Donegall but it is what it is. Down looked very good in second half against Fermanagh there have been some battles between Cavan and Down down the years especially in the sixties unfortunately Down won quite a few of them they like Cavan have had some great players the Mc cartens Paddy Doherty Sean O'Neil etc. As the great Ian corrigan song Charlie Gallagher in blazing heat of Belfast how the blues did shine. Well I'm sure there won't be any blazing heat on Sunday in the Athletic Grounds but let's hope Cavan turn up with their shooting boots on and defend like demons we stand a chance. The best of luck to Mickey and the team. Up Cavan.

[email protected] (Cavan) - Posts: 138 - 13/11/2020 10:08:35    2308260

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I wasn't feeling too confident about this one until I read Tomas O Se is backing Down to win. Suddenly there is confidence!

Cavan have been at it hard for over a month now so mental fatigue will be a big factor on Sunday, An Armagh win would be a massive boost because it would put the Ulster title very much within touching distance for this team. Nothing Down could do would best them. On the other hand, if we are 5 behind and 10 to play and you know Donegal are waiting around the corner the margin of doubt could swing the other way. So I will be glued tomorrow as well.

The Athletic Grounds is a neighbour's lawn for the Down lads but our older players have some great memories of winning titles there too. The tight pitch will suit Cavan I think. Much made of Mooney on the back of one great run for the goal last week; Gerry Smith on him early on. Clarke would not be fit to stay with him anyway so he should be used around the half back line to pick up Barry O'Hagan. Fortune on O'Hare he has the legs on him for sure.

Down's full back line can be got at. How do Cavan make that count? Standing Gearoid in there would just make it easy for them to drop an ageing McKernan in there to battle him; it needs to come from strong running on overlaps. I cant see that being sustained in the second half with a tired team. That fact plus a notion that Down could roll over if hit hard early on, would have you thinking that Cavan need to go all out for the early ambush and then hold on toward the end.

Prediction: Cavan to surprise everyone by putting in a high scoring first half and grabbing at a goal if not 2. Then running out 3 to 4 point winners after a dog of a second half, pure grit and tradition dragging them over the line. Backing that and an Armagh by a point, to set up a huge tilt at the title

MadgeKing (Cavan) - Posts: 493 - 13/11/2020 13:22:11    2308332

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Replying To [email protected]:  "Very well put just hope our lads aren't knackered it's a big ask for amateur players five weeks on the trot on heavy pitches.Down will be a lot fresher and if we are lucky enough to get through so will Armagh or Donegall but it is what it is. Down looked very good in second half against Fermanagh there have been some battles between Cavan and Down down the years especially in the sixties unfortunately Down won quite a few of them they like Cavan have had some great players the Mc cartens Paddy Doherty Sean O'Neil etc. As the great Ian corrigan song Charlie Gallagher in blazing heat of Belfast how the blues did shine. Well I'm sure there won't be any blazing heat on Sunday in the Athletic Grounds but let's hope Cavan turn up with their shooting boots on and defend like demons we stand a chance. The best of luck to Mickey and the team. Up Cavan."
To all fainthearted Cavan supporters l refer you to Youtube 20 minutes of the highlights of the Cavan v Down 2004 Ulster S F Quarter Final replay. Down are leading by 7 pts. Cavan are reduced to 14 men. Cavan finish up winning by
4 pts. That is the spirit Cavan need to bring to the game on Sunday. Come on the Blues!!!!

Declankillann

declankillann (Dublin) - Posts: 83 - 13/11/2020 13:26:14    2308339

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Replying To MadgeKing:  "I wasn't feeling too confident about this one until I read Tomas O Se is backing Down to win. Suddenly there is confidence!

Cavan have been at it hard for over a month now so mental fatigue will be a big factor on Sunday, An Armagh win would be a massive boost because it would put the Ulster title very much within touching distance for this team. Nothing Down could do would best them. On the other hand, if we are 5 behind and 10 to play and you know Donegal are waiting around the corner the margin of doubt could swing the other way. So I will be glued tomorrow as well.

The Athletic Grounds is a neighbour's lawn for the Down lads but our older players have some great memories of winning titles there too. The tight pitch will suit Cavan I think. Much made of Mooney on the back of one great run for the goal last week; Gerry Smith on him early on. Clarke would not be fit to stay with him anyway so he should be used around the half back line to pick up Barry O'Hagan. Fortune on O'Hare he has the legs on him for sure.

Down's full back line can be got at. How do Cavan make that count? Standing Gearoid in there would just make it easy for them to drop an ageing McKernan in there to battle him; it needs to come from strong running on overlaps. I cant see that being sustained in the second half with a tired team. That fact plus a notion that Down could roll over if hit hard early on, would have you thinking that Cavan need to go all out for the early ambush and then hold on toward the end.

Prediction: Cavan to surprise everyone by putting in a high scoring first half and grabbing at a goal if not 2. Then running out 3 to 4 point winners after a dog of a second half, pure grit and tradition dragging them over the line. Backing that and an Armagh by a point, to set up a huge tilt at the title"
I actually see our game going along the same lines. We need a good start, another poor one will catch up with us eventually.


As for the other semi final. . Donegal will win it.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5016 - 13/11/2020 15:35:33    2308380

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Replying To ramor101:  "Was at that game myself. If it had gone to extra time I would've expected a large portion of both supporters to walk out. It was dire stuff and completely at odds with the historical battles Cavan/Down have played over the years. I often felt Cavan people have the height of respect (if not outright fondness) for Down football (more so than for any other county in Ulster) and I hope the game on Sunday will be played in a spirit that fits the occasion."
Agreed, it was awful stuff, Also that respect goes both ways , The wifes uncle often spoke of great Cavan teams and the enjoyment he got following them , he actually called his house Breffni, and its on the wall to this day

germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 13/11/2020 16:58:12    2308412

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Just watched the Donegal game they are some team even better than last year they just steamrolled Armagh a bit like they did with Cavan last year only they have got sharper and improving all the time. If you listen to the sky tv pundits the Gaa should just give them a by to the all Ireland semi final and save their legs a bit more. They are clear favourites to win Ulster and rightly so 9 finals in the last 10 years so who ever wins tomorrow are going to have to up their game considerable here's hoping its Cavan. Up the Blues.

[email protected] (Cavan) - Posts: 138 - 14/11/2020 18:11:55    2308814

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Great comeback. We'll done

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 15/11/2020 15:10:38    2309193

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Well if ever there was a proverbial game of two halves, that was it.

Well done lads. I'm proud if yis all.

Cavan_Shambles (Cavan) - Posts: 575 - 15/11/2020 15:16:51    2309202

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You couldn't feel anything but pure pride for those lads today. What a comeback!

In truth, Down never had me convinced they wouldn't collapse of we got our act together. And so it proved.

I said we'd eventually get caught out if we start slowly every week, and we will against Donegal, no doubt. I'd play complete puke football for the first 45mins. Keep the score down. We do have players who can hurt them. Patton can be got at under the high ball. McGee can be beaten for pace. So good quality ball into the full forward line can do damage.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5016 - 15/11/2020 15:44:05    2309248

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Replying To Cavan_Shambles:  "Well if ever there was a proverbial game of two halves, that was it.

Well done lads. I'm proud if yis all."
Yea , firstly well done Cavan , no complaints, Really we should have been out of sight at half time, 2 goal opps wasted, Second half Cavan scrapped for everything and the pen giv them the lift needed,but we still had handy chances for points and diddent take them ,But look thats the way it goes, were a young team and hopefully Summer time football will suit us better,Good luck in the final

germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 15/11/2020 15:45:30    2309252

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Well done to the lads! Serious heart, fitness and skill second half to once again get over the line. My own heart isn't enjoying this but it's great to be back in another Ulster final! First time since the late 1960's that we've reached consecutive finals, which is great to see. Stopping the Donegal juggernaut is another matter though, but I'd rather have that problem than not.

Looks like we've become masters of the rope-a-dope, which is sensible (albeit seriously risky) from Mickey and management, because I'm sure at this stage there must be some very tired legs on the panel. It's worked out for us in three games out of five now since the restart, but we'll need a different approach vs. Donegal because they won't give up a lead if they get one, as we saw in last year's final. Need to tighten up at the back but we're in a final and anything can happen. Let's hope we've learned from last year and Mickey has another trick up his sleeve for the yella fellas. Let's give it a lash and get behind the lads!

TheBlackDeath (Cavan) - Posts: 73 - 15/11/2020 15:48:55    2309263

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Its hard to put that one into words. The first half was 100% the worst I have seen us play in the last 10 years, while the second half was one of the best half's of football I have ever seen from a Cavan team. We played like it was our last ever game of football, simply incredible.
I seen things from a Cavan team that I would never associate with Cavan teams in recent years. We spooked Down and we got in their faces. The roaring from the bench, that kind of thing usually happens against us but today we were the bullys not the ones being bullied.
Even before the goal I felt like we could win it. All of a sudden we are now closing out tight games and winning them. These are characteristics that have been missing from Cavan teams in recent years but Mickey has instilled it.
We are turning into one of the best story's of the winter and I'm delighted we have another week to look forward to and day to look forward to next Sunday.
Its going to be tough make no doubt about but Mickey has something about him he knows how to win championship games and I have a feeling it may be a lot closer than last year.

blueskies (Cavan) - Posts: 194 - 15/11/2020 17:14:20    2309357

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Great win powerful second half. Didn't think we would pull it off at half time but kept at it and got the reward.

tom84 (Cavan) - Posts: 334 - 15/11/2020 17:20:47    2309369

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