Tricky path to Sam Maguire for Cavan

GAA news

Cavan will possibly have to beat two Division 1 sides if they are to enter the race for the Sam Maguire in 2023, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.

That is the state of play following the draws for the opening rounds of the provincial championships, which took place on Saturday.

Mickey Graham’s side take on the winners of Armagh and Antrim in the Ulster SFC quarter-final at Kingspan Breffni and, if they win that, Cavan would meet either Down or Donegal. In the top half of the draw, Fermanagh host champions Derry and Monaghan travel to Healy Park to face Tyrone.

While it was widely believed that promotion to Division 2 of the National League would ensure Cavan entered the Sam Maguire race regardless of their finish in the provincial championship, a quirk of the Connacht draw has more than likely dashed that hope.

Out west, in a replica of the 2013 draw, which saw London make the Connacht final, the ‘big guns’ are all on the same side. The winners of New York and Leitrim take on either London or Sligo in a Connacht semi-final, a draw which can only occur every five years due to the system which rotates the counties who play against New York.

Unfortunately for Cavan, this scenario has raised the possibility of the promoted teams from Division 3 getting squeezed out as championship results take precedence.

All eight provincial finalists are assured of their places in the Sam Maguire, as are Westmeath, who defeated Cavan in the final of the inaugural Tailteann Cup. That leaves seven places which will be filled by the highest-ranking teams in the National League.

The Tailteann Cup winners (Westmeath) essentially become 16th seeds, which, presuming the eight provincial finalists come from Divisions 1 and 2, would squeeze out the Division 3 runners-up.

However, with a Division 4 side guaranteed to make the provincial final – and thus, the Sam Maguire – that also bumps the Division 3 champions down the pecking order.

In order to be guaranteed of participating in the Sam Maguire, Cavan would have to reach the Ulster final; alternatively, if Cavan were to win the Division 3 final and Westmeath make the Leinster final, Cavan could make it to the Sam Maguire.