Published: Wednesday, 16th June, 2010 11:29am

Johnston: 'The work had been done'

by Paul Fitzpatrick

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While admitting that Fermanagh "maybe worked that small bit harder" on the day, Cavan attacker Sean Johnston was adamant that Cavan had "given it their all" in preparation for the clash with Fermanagh.

"It's difficult to know," replied Johnston, when asked what went wrong.

"I suppose, like all Ulster championship games, it was very hard work. I think we worked very hard but they probably maybe worked that small bit harder."

The Cavan Gaels clubman, who had himself undergone intensive and painstaking rehabilitation on an elbow injury in order to be fit for last Saturday, highlighted Fermanagh's 64th minute goal as the turning point in the match.

"There wasn't too much in it," said Johnston.

"The goal probably changed the game - in such a tight game, goals are very, very important.

"So I suppose the goal was the difference between the two teams in the end."

Johnston, who scored 0-2 from play, rejected suggestions that Cavan's attack was blunted by the absence of a target man in the forward line.

"I wouldn't say that," stated the 25-year-old.

"We went out with what we perceived to be our strongest 15, we matched them in a very tight game and as you said, if someone can nick a goal...

"A high ball went in and I think maybe two of our boys jumped for it, they got a lucky break and the ball went in the net so that was the difference between the two teams in the end."

How hard is it to take a defeat of this nature?

"It's very, very difficult. You train all year to play in championship matches like this and to play with boys like that. I know how big an effort those boys put in, as much as all the other teams around the country, so if there are people saying maybe they didn't work hard enough, they weren't the ones at the training.

"Those boys put in a lot of work and they gave it their all.

"I don't think it was hard work that beat us in the end, it was just that lucky break and hopefully sooner rather than later we'll pick up one of those."

With the qualifiers set to begin next weekend, Cavan have, said Johnston, "no choice" but to regroup and get on with things.

"We've no choice. You have to pick yourself up. We'll turn around,we've only two weeks now and as I said, those boys have worked very, very hard and I don't see them wanting to throw it away after just one defeat so for the sake of Cavan football, it's very hard that we try to turns things around in the next two weeks and put in a good performance."

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