Cavan aim to make it a hat-trick of Hastings titles

Cavan U21 footballers are bidding to make it three-in-a-row as they head into Sunday's Hastings Cup Final against Longford. Success in the midlands-based tournament has provided a great basis on which the U21s have built provincial successes in recent years. Peter Reilly's charges have cruised through to the final with two comprehensive victories in as many weeks; walloping Leitrim by 19 points a fortnight ago, and easing past Offaly by a seven point margin on Saturday (see this week's newspaper for match report). Cavan management are expecting a tougher challenge from Longford, as this crop of players won the Leinster Minor Championship three years ago and overcame Wicklow and a much fancied Roscommon team to reach the final. "We are optimistic and hoping that we can give a good account of ourselves," selector Ciaran Fitzpatrick told the Celt. He believes this batch of Cavan players can replicate the achievements of the previous two Hasting Cup winners. "The other two teams were built on hard work and determination - if they work as hard as them, they'll definitely be in with a shout," said Ciaran.