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Cavan Seniors 2024

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Certainly a difficult watch on Saturday. But on reflection I think it was good to go up there and watch Armagh. Ok they have bottled it somewhat on big days but you would have to say they are a top team. With the colour and the noise and the energy they get from the crowd, they are electric when they get momentum. Ultimately that is the level we want to see Cavan playing at.

In 2019, we were probably on a par if not ahead of Armagh but since then they have been regularly competing with Kerrys and Dublins while we were scrapping away in divisions 3 and 4. The aim should most definitely be to get back up to division 1. It's disappointing not to do it this year (I presume we would have been the first county in history to go from division 1 to 4 and back to 1 in consecutive years?) but we will have a better chance next year when we have Monaghan and Roscommon. Amazingly, had we beaten Donegal in round 2 we would be second in the table now regardless of the Armagh defeat.

I wouldn't agree that the younger players aren't up to it or aren't as good as the previous generations. There's loads of talent there and more coming through. At the end of the day league is league and nobody will be talking about this game come championship. Famously Tyrone shipped 6-15 in Killarney in the league before going on to win the All Ireland. So I know what way I'm going to join the dots !

97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 377 - 20/03/2024 15:39:44    2532348

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "Certainly a difficult watch on Saturday. But on reflection I think it was good to go up there and watch Armagh. Ok they have bottled it somewhat on big days but you would have to say they are a top team. With the colour and the noise and the energy they get from the crowd, they are electric when they get momentum. Ultimately that is the level we want to see Cavan playing at.

In 2019, we were probably on a par if not ahead of Armagh but since then they have been regularly competing with Kerrys and Dublins while we were scrapping away in divisions 3 and 4. The aim should most definitely be to get back up to division 1. It's disappointing not to do it this year (I presume we would have been the first county in history to go from division 1 to 4 and back to 1 in consecutive years?) but we will have a better chance next year when we have Monaghan and Roscommon. Amazingly, had we beaten Donegal in round 2 we would be second in the table now regardless of the Armagh defeat.

I wouldn't agree that the younger players aren't up to it or aren't as good as the previous generations. There's loads of talent there and more coming through. At the end of the day league is league and nobody will be talking about this game come championship. Famously Tyrone shipped 6-15 in Killarney in the league before going on to win the All Ireland. So I know what way I'm going to join the dots !"
Armagh do look good but ,they are under the same manager for 10 years. They would want to showing form . But they have an ageing team . Murnin, Grugan, Stefan Campbell, Aidan Forker are around 33 /34. Murnin and Grugan were on the minor all Ireland winning team of 09. The next manager after McGeeney will have a rebuilding job.They didn't concede a goal in the League. Cavan have looked like conceding in most of the games.

Tyrone won All Ireland in 21 ,but the 5 week break because of COVID derailed Kerry. Tyrone had lots of underage success also.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2824 - 20/03/2024 16:25:14    2532362

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Looking towards Saturday evening, I think this is an ideal opportunity to put last week behind us.

Fermanagh will be desperate for the win as they are in relegation trouble (I don't think a win will be enough for them as Louth should beat Kildare).

No real pressure on us now. Can't be relegated, can't be promoted and 99.99% in Sam. So really, it's a chance for the team to redeem themselves and not carry 2 poor defeats (a defeat here wouldn't be anything else) into the Ulster Championship.

Need to win a home game too. Our record has been awful in Breffni.
I think we'll win by 3 or 4 points.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 21/03/2024 10:55:51    2532460

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Only getting online today to share some thoughts re last weekend and for tomorrow. I've calmed down (a bit). Been a while since I've been down so much after a League game due to the style of the loss. We were very bad, while they were very good. Cannot get over how bad we were.

Now while it'd be easy to just stick the boot in, call it the worst ever and all the usual Cavan supporter reaction, I do think that after some thought we need to look at that in isolation (to a point). And the old idiom of things are neither as good or bad as they seem, but somewhere in the middle applies here a bit. You could run this game 100 times and you'll get that result maybe once if even. It was a low percentage chance of happening, but sometimes that just does happen. That's not excusing the poor performance and preparation though, I just don't think it'd happen again like that and we're not as bad as that suggests.

Like we have to consider the injuries. Faulkner, Smith, and McLaughlin out are big losses. Great to see Kiernan and McVeety return, and Conor Brady coming on but they looked cold as they would be not playing for ages. Also, what did we do about the wind? Did we do the stuff from years past where we won the toss and went against the wind in 1st half against weaker teams and try to do damage 2nd half? That was never going to work here. We needed a strong start, and if we do choose to go against the wind then we can't be making poor decisions like that when we needed to stay in the game. They made hay that first half. The wind was strong and they could float the ball in, and when we missed 2 starting backs, they got their rewards and got easy chances to stroke the ball over. They also had a high water mark day. 28 shots or something, scoring 23 of them? That's a bit scary overall seeing the forwards they could bring on late on, but either way that % conversion is not something you'd see often. They got ahead, got their scores and opened a gap, and once we started chasing it opened things up even more and got worse and I just can't see that happening again.

Again, I'm not trying to excuse it, but taking some things into context, we had a few outliers in circumstances that all added up to this, a perfect storm in a way even. On any given day we'd not be 15 points worse off than them. Saying all that, it needs to be a massive boot up the rear on where we are in preparation. If we take anything from that game, it's that we can't get any worse and we have to take all the learnings in all we did wrong and we should get a bounce. We've Monaghan in 3 weeks, and a slight dead rubber for us tomorrow (although a win would obviously be nice and better overall, and also solidify 3rd for Sam qualification). Are we in a place to up things and get a response from the squad that this performance wasn't good enough? I hope so and they better. Discipline last while needs a look at too, with way too many cards and poor fouls. I do think that game got away from us early, but no reason we couldn't have been in damage limitation and taking positives from the game rather than giving away silly black cards, penalties and all sorts. Need to blow out that dirty diesel before April and watch the poor discipline.

Team for tomorrow is named just there. A fair few changes, and with who were missing last week, that means we've mixed thing up quite a bit. A chance for some lads to put their hand up, and as it should be - no places can be guaranteed at this stage. Fermanaghs need is greater, but think we need to get a decent performance out of this too. Think we'll win it, which will be good to get back on track and then get ready for Monaghan. We beat them and this looks like an anomaly in the rear view mirror

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2450 - 22/03/2024 14:05:16    2532646

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Oh and one bad result does not mean we'd be thrashed 7 times next year in Division 1 if we got promoted. Our usual negative poster can't have this both ways. Can't complain that being down the divisions was to our detriment, but then being up in Division 1 would be too. I changed my opinion on League and what it means, it is important to play the best teams and even if we went up and got relegated immediately - it'd mean we have learned from the best teams and also guaranteed another year in Sam. We cannot pass up any opportunity for promotion. Didn't happen for us this year, but next year in Div 2 looks like a bear pit. We need to get up when we can and learn, and you will find yourself getting better when exposed to the top level. Can't afford to stand still here

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2450 - 22/03/2024 14:17:40    2532653

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Replying To Loughduff Lad:  "Oh and one bad result does not mean we'd be thrashed 7 times next year in Division 1 if we got promoted. Our usual negative poster can't have this both ways. Can't complain that being down the divisions was to our detriment, but then being up in Division 1 would be too. I changed my opinion on League and what it means, it is important to play the best teams and even if we went up and got relegated immediately - it'd mean we have learned from the best teams and also guaranteed another year in Sam. We cannot pass up any opportunity for promotion. Didn't happen for us this year, but next year in Div 2 looks like a bear pit. We need to get up when we can and learn, and you will find yourself getting better when exposed to the top level. Can't afford to stand still here"
Don't be fooling yourself…. Staying in Division 2 is exactly where we need to be… going up and maybe coming back down straight away would be no good whatsoever… We will get our chance of playing a couple of the bigger teams in the Sam Maguire and maybe that will show you if we are ready to compete in Division 1….I don't think we are.. We got off to a very good start to this years league but we got lucky enough in beating Cork and Louth before drawing with Meath but on the other hand we could have beaten Donegal but that game came at the start of the league when we seemed to be playing better… I don't think we would beat Cork now the way we are playing and they have improved…Down the divisions did us no end of harm as we wasted 3 years where we should have been playing higher quality opponents in Div 2 at least but the previous man (and yourself) seemed to be of the opinion it wouldn't impact us in any way… what nonsense.. He is now down operating in the basement league he is best suited to… Staying in Div 2 will be the priority next season too and it will be no easy task so the talk of playing in the top tier is a bit far fetched the sort of team we have… We didn't pass up any opportunity of getting promoted… We simply were not nearly good enough which was well shown up last weekend…. A bit of perspective needs to be taken but you seem to continually get carried away with yourself…

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 22/03/2024 17:21:17    2532692

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Don't be fooling yourself…. Staying in Division 2 is exactly where we need to be… going up and maybe coming back down straight away would be no good whatsoever… We will get our chance of playing a couple of the bigger teams in the Sam Maguire and maybe that will show you if we are ready to compete in Division 1….I don't think we are.. We got off to a very good start to this years league but we got lucky enough in beating Cork and Louth before drawing with Meath but on the other hand we could have beaten Donegal but that game came at the start of the league when we seemed to be playing better… I don't think we would beat Cork now the way we are playing and they have improved…Down the divisions did us no end of harm as we wasted 3 years where we should have been playing higher quality opponents in Div 2 at least but the previous man (and yourself) seemed to be of the opinion it wouldn't impact us in any way… what nonsense.. He is now down operating in the basement league he is best suited to… Staying in Div 2 will be the priority next season too and it will be no easy task so the talk of playing in the top tier is a bit far fetched the sort of team we have… We didn't pass up any opportunity of getting promoted… We simply were not nearly good enough which was well shown up last weekend…. A bit of perspective needs to be taken but you seem to continually get carried away with yourself…"
It's a really strange grudge you seem to have against Mickey Graham.

He won an Ulster championship despite being relegated to Division 3 a few weeks earlier.

I would put our current situation down to the lack of underage talent coming through moreso than the divisions we've been in at senior level. In fact, I would say Mickey got the last kick out of the talented underage group from the early 10s

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 22/03/2024 19:58:36    2532705

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Well lads. the clock is ticking towards the great championship occasion that nobody else cares about except the locals. On form and personnel Cavan go in with the edge (we know the Armagh game was a training run after all).

Looking at the two outfits currently, a combined team would break down in favour of blue. That points to the stronger panel overall. Something like this, what would ye think?
O'Rourke
McLoughlin
Lavelle
K Brady
C Brady
Faulkner

K O'Connell
D Hughes
K Clarke
G Smith

Bannigan
McCarthy
P Lynch
J Smith

McManus

Midfield and scoring half forwards an issue for both teams so even combined its not a world beater team. I still think Cavan are closer to knowing their best starting team than Monaghan. All eyes on the injury updates for the next 10 days.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1121 - 22/03/2024 19:59:54    2532706

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Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "Well lads. the clock is ticking towards the great championship occasion that nobody else cares about except the locals. On form and personnel Cavan go in with the edge (we know the Armagh game was a training run after all).

Looking at the two outfits currently, a combined team would break down in favour of blue. That points to the stronger panel overall. Something like this, what would ye think?
O'Rourke
McLoughlin
Lavelle
K Brady
C Brady
Faulkner

K O'Connell
D Hughes
K Clarke
G Smith

Bannigan
McCarthy
P Lynch
J Smith

McManus

Midfield and scoring half forwards an issue for both teams so even combined its not a world beater team. I still think Cavan are closer to knowing their best starting team than Monaghan. All eyes on the injury updates for the next 10 days."
No time for maCarron?

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1720 - 22/03/2024 21:38:38    2532721

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Ripping because I can't make the game tomorrow evening. Really hoping for a kick out of Cavan. I see the bbc iplayer has the game but I never used it before can you get the iplayer in the 26 counties?

facer4home (Cavan) - Posts: 159 - 22/03/2024 22:46:17    2532738

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Replying To cavanman47:  "It's a really strange grudge you seem to have against Mickey Graham.

He won an Ulster championship despite being relegated to Division 3 a few weeks earlier.

I would put our current situation down to the lack of underage talent coming through moreso than the divisions we've been in at senior level. In fact, I would say Mickey got the last kick out of the talented underage group from the early 10s"
It's no grudge at all… He took over a talented team operating in Division 1 and brought them all the way down to Division 4…. He did somehow manage to win an Ulster title but that was more than fortunate in a very strange set of circumstances ( Tipperary won in Munster that year too )… We are still paying the price for those wasted years in the basement divisions…. If he was (or is ) such a brilliant manager how come he hasn't been picked up by some other county or big club…? I wonder why… We need to consolidate now in Division 2 for 2/3 years at least if we can after the yo yo mess the previous management ( not all down to Mickey ) left behind…. and it won't be easy

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 23/03/2024 08:08:46    2532760

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Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "Well lads. the clock is ticking towards the great championship occasion that nobody else cares about except the locals. On form and personnel Cavan go in with the edge (we know the Armagh game was a training run after all).

Looking at the two outfits currently, a combined team would break down in favour of blue. That points to the stronger panel overall. Something like this, what would ye think?
O'Rourke
McLoughlin
Lavelle
K Brady
C Brady
Faulkner

K O'Connell
D Hughes
K Clarke
G Smith

Bannigan
McCarthy
P Lynch
J Smith

McManus

Midfield and scoring half forwards an issue for both teams so even combined its not a world beater team. I still think Cavan are closer to knowing their best starting team than Monaghan. All eyes on the injury updates for the next 10 days."
James Smith at f/f ahead of Mc Carron…, you are having a laugh surely…?

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 23/03/2024 08:16:04    2532761

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Replying To facer4home:  "Ripping because I can't make the game tomorrow evening. Really hoping for a kick out of Cavan. I see the bbc iplayer has the game but I never used it before can you get the iplayer in the 26 counties?"
You need a VPN to watch the IPlayer.

GAAGO also showing it.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 23/03/2024 10:25:03    2532777

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Folks, still time here. You could do worse that jump in the car and head to Sligo to catch the hurlers. You'll still make the game this evening in Breffni. The hurlers going very well and are always worth watching. Take a chance and head to see them sure

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2450 - 23/03/2024 11:02:13    2532785

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "
Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "Well lads. the clock is ticking towards the great championship occasion that nobody else cares about except the locals. On form and personnel Cavan go in with the edge (we know the Armagh game was a training run after all).

Looking at the two outfits currently, a combined team would break down in favour of blue. That points to the stronger panel overall. Something like this, what would ye think?
O'Rourke
McLoughlin
Lavelle
K Brady
C Brady
Faulkner

K O'Connell
D Hughes
K Clarke
G Smith

Bannigan
McCarthy
P Lynch
J Smith

McManus

Midfield and scoring half forwards an issue for both teams so even combined its not a world beater team. I still think Cavan are closer to knowing their best starting team than Monaghan. All eyes on the injury updates for the next 10 days."
James Smith at f/f ahead of Mc Carron…, you are having a laugh surely…?"
No I wouldn't see McCarron making a combined 15. Main point is you'd be looking at 9 or 10 Cavan starters, and in key positions too. Bannigan at 11 and D Hughes midfield at this stage are the only certs to start in a given position for Monaghan

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1121 - 23/03/2024 11:53:55    2532791

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The best of luck to the hurlers in today's league semifinal…. Let's hope they give a good account of themselves… Cannis Maher is still out and will be a huge loss to the team…hopefully he will be back fit in time for the Championship…

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 23/03/2024 12:22:52    2532799

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Hard luck to the hurlers. Strong wind first half and just didn't make enough of it. Sligo got scores easier 2nd half with the strong wind, although Cavan stayed in it with a goal (also had another ruled out for steps). A decent performance though, and actually playing well away in those conditions and getting a rest ahead of Championship is not the worst considering promotion (or staying in new Division 3 outright) is no bad thing. Lads to come back from injury too so lots to take from the league campaign. Now on to Breffni

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2450 - 23/03/2024 17:28:44    2532873

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Team starts as named the other day. When was the last time no Mullahoran or Gowna players started? (or even Lacken and Ballinagh) Been a long time I reckon

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2450 - 23/03/2024 19:00:06    2532901

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Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "
Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "[quote=Eddie the Exile:  "Well lads. the clock is ticking towards the great championship occasion that nobody else cares about except the locals. On form and personnel Cavan go in with the edge (we know the Armagh game was a training run after all).

Looking at the two outfits currently, a combined team would break down in favour of blue. That points to the stronger panel overall. Something like this, what would ye think?
O'Rourke
McLoughlin
Lavelle
K Brady
C Brady
Faulkner

K O'Connell
D Hughes
K Clarke
G Smith

Bannigan
McCarthy
P Lynch
J Smith

McManus

Midfield and scoring half forwards an issue for both teams so even combined its not a world beater team. I still think Cavan are closer to knowing their best starting team than Monaghan. All eyes on the injury updates for the next 10 days."
James Smith at f/f ahead of Mc Carron…, you are having a laugh surely…?"
No I wouldn't see McCarron making a combined 15. Main point is you'd be looking at 9 or 10 Cavan starters, and in key positions too. Bannigan at 11 and D Hughes midfield at this stage are the only certs to start in a given position for Monaghan"]You obviously don't watch too much football if you think any cavan forwards apart from Lynch are ahead of MaCarron.

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1720 - 23/03/2024 20:24:57    2532925

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That was very poor. . Fermanagh while they something to play for, shipped 6 goals last weekend but were full of confidence. They played some nice attacking football with good pace. Got 2 goals and should have had a few more. Cavan are gifting some amount of goal chances in every game

Play Monaghan in 2 weeks. Some improvement needed.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2824 - 23/03/2024 20:48:22    2532931

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