Conroy calls for belief as Cavan U20s face Tyrone

Gaelic games

Damien Donohoe

Cavan U20 manager Chris Conroy is urging his players to believe they can compete with the very best as they prepare to open their Ulster Championship campaign against reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone.

In his first season at the helm, Conroy has overseen a demanding but productive pre-season and feels his side are trending in the right direction ahead of tonight’s (Wednesday, 7.30, Kingspan Breffni) test.

“It’s been good. It’s been challenging, but it’s about getting a handle on the panel and getting to know the lads,” he said.

“I had a fair idea of most of the players from being involved in development squads, but it’s about managing things like colleges and schools as well. It’s been enjoyable. The last couple of weeks have been about prepping for the first round and it’s been going well so far. It’s always going well until the ball is thrown in, but we feel we’re going in the right direction and we’re ready for round one.”

Conroy’s appointment came sooner than he might have expected, but the former Cavan senior sees it as a natural step in his football journey.

“It probably wasn’t something I thought would happen this soon,” the Lavey man admitted.

“I always had ambitions of going into coaching. I was lucky to get involved with the U20s and that gave me a good experience. This opportunity came up and it was one I didn’t want to turn down. I’ve a really good management team around me as well, which is a big help. I wasn’t going in blind either.”

A key focus since his appointment has been driving standards and ensuring buy-in from a large panel, something Conroy says has been fully embraced by the players.

“When we got the panel together towards the end of October, we said from the start that there had to be buy-in if we wanted to move in the right direction,” he explained.

“I think the lads were eager for that as well. Keith (Greene), our S&C coach, has been excellent in terms of communication and making sure lads are getting their sessions done, even organising gyms in places like Belfast so there are no excuses. There’s been very little chasing needed.”

While challenge matches have produced mixed results, Conroy insists the emphasis has been firmly on development.

“You’re always going to have a couple of bad results in challenge games, but that’s where you learn,” he said.

“It was a heavy period in January with training and matches, and some lads had college commitments too. But the lads have responded really well.”

Encouragingly, there is healthy competition for places within the squad, with around 40 players involved.

“There have been no issues. The buy-in has been 100% from players and management,” Conroy added.

“The younger lads are pushing hard as well, so there’s good competition in the group.”

Recent underage performances have also provided a platform, with Cavan reaching an All-Ireland minor B final and last year’s minors making an Ulster final. Conroy believes there is genuine quality within the squad, but says belief will be key.

“The minor lads coming up are a really good group and even the older lads are keen to learn and improve,” he said.

“We all know in Cavan that we need to change the perception of ourselves. No team goes out to lose by ten points. If you can get belief into a panel of 40 players, it goes a long way.”

“They know they can compete with teams like Tyrone and Kerry. It’s just that belief, can we actually beat them? That’s probably been the missing piece at times.”

That belief will be tested immediately against a Tyrone side who arrive as All-Ireland champions at both minor and U20 level.

“It’s going to be a great gauge of where we’re at,” Conroy said. “They still have a number of players from last year’s All-Ireland winning team, so it’s a good test for us.”

On the injury front, Cavan are in relatively good shape heading into the opener.

“We’ve lost one lad to a long-term injury and there are one or two others who might not make the first couple of games,” Conroy said.

“But overall, we’re confident we’ll have a strong panel to pick from.”

Cavan U20 v Tyrone – Ulster U20 Football Championship, Group B Round 1

1. Cian McConnell (Butlersbridge)

2. Philip Shannon (Butlersbridge)

3. Jensen Tynan (vc) (Ramor United)

4. Conor Doyle (Cavan Gaels)

5. Aaron Shekleton (c) (Kingscourt Stars)

6. Harry McMullen (Cootehill Celtic)

7. Ben Tully (Cavan Gaels)

8. Joe Dugdale (Butlersbridge)

9. Jamie Clarke (Castlerahan)

10. Dylan Edwards (Templeport)

11. Shane McCabe (Cootehill Celtic)

12. Odhran Madden (Gowna)

13. Joshua Shehu (Cavan Gaels)

14. Jack Dobson (Arva)

15. Darragh Noonan (Killygarry)

Subs

16. Sean McFaul (GK) (Cornafean)

17. Cormac McAvinney (Kingscourt Stars)

18. Luke Maguire (Mullahoran)

19. Luke Mulvaney (Belturbet)

20. Nathan Quigley (Denn)

21. Thomas Gilsenan (Killygarry)

22. Jake Whyte (Cootehill Celtic)

23. Luke Allison (Butlersbridge)

24. Conor Sharpe (Mullahoran)

Manager: Chris Conroy

Coaches: Keelan Melaniff, Ciarán Tierney, Paul Lynch, Gerard O’Reilly, Eamonn Brady

Venue: Kingspan Breffni

Date: Wednesday March 25

Throw-in: 7.30pm

Referee: Enda Mallon