Published: Wednesday, 8th September, 2010 3:15pm

'Door is open for any player' - Hyland

by Paul Fitzpatrick

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Terry Hyland.

New joint Cavan senior manager Terry Hyland has sent out a clear message to footballers in Cavan: if you're good enough and committed enough, you'll be given a chance.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt yesterday (Tuesday), Hyland, who admitted that he has been "trawling the county" for fresh talent, insisted that the door is open for any player in the county, the only proviso being that they must be "capable and most importantly want to" play for Cavan.

"I have been watching an average of 8-10 matches each weekend," said Hyland.

"Any player who is playing well for their club will get their chance to make the Cavan senior panel, provided they are capable and most importantly want to. There are a few decent young players there. Also, while club form important, it's not the only factor - we want to get a group of individuals together as a group and performing as a team."

The under 21 side Hyland managed in 2010 was noted for its physical presence, especially in key positions, and the Lacken clubman suggested that Cavan may have to adopt a "horses for courses2 approach when identifying potential county panellists.

He cited the example of Meath legend Sean Boylan, who plucked several players from relative obscurity and, through intensive coaching, helped turn them into top-class inter-county footballers.

"There are some good bigger players coming through and we may have to adopt a similar policy to Sean Boylan and pick players of a certain profile and hone skills after that."

The speed with which the county board appointed the new management team has allowed Hyland and Val Andrews the luxury of some time in appointing further members of their backroom team.

As of yet, no specialist trainer has been appointed to work with the management and, pressed on the issue, Hyland refused to be rushed.

"Initially we'll be setting up a strength and conditioning programme which we will oversee ourselves," he said.

"We are in negotiations with somebody else to come in and give us a hand but I can't put a name on that person yet."

The plan, he said, is to formalise a provisional panel by mid-October. However, there is "no major panic" on it yet. County teams are forbidden from training collectively in November and December by Croke Park.

So far, only Killeshandra's Stephen King has been added as a selector, although this also could change in the future.

"For the time being we are not adding anyone else, although we may or may not look at one other selector. We haven't looked around yet or talked to anybody. Sometimes you can have too many voices there."