Conroy: ‘We didn’t win enough battles’ after Armagh defeat

Cavan U20 manager Chris Conroy admitted his side were second best across the pitch as they fell to a heavy defeat against Armagh, pointing to lost battles, turnovers and a lack of control around the middle as key factors.

“It’s very disappointing,” he said afterwards. “We just didn’t win enough of the battles today. We didn’t win enough around midfield and even when we were attacking, I think we coughed up 1-8 that we gave back to Armagh. But look, full credit to them, they were the hungrier team. They came with an intent to win those battles in the middle, in defence and up front, and in fairness they did that.”

Cavan had entered the game on the back of an impressive win over Tyrone, but were on the back foot from early on as Armagh applied a fierce press and forced a series of turnovers.

“We expected it from watching them last week, but we probably just got caught isolated once or twice and didn’t get the ball across the field quick enough,” Conroy said. “They went after it early and in fairness they were fully committed to it. There were just a few times we didn’t get the ball out. We got up the field and looked dangerous at times, but it was just giving the ball away or simple mistakes that hurt us.”

There had been a strong buzz around the squad following the Tyrone win, but Conroy felt any suggestion of a hangover was only a small factor.

“There was a good buzz about the group, and that’s what a big win does,” he said. “But maybe it was still in the back of our minds that we had beaten Tyrone. You can never take Armagh for granted. They’ve been very competitive against top teams this year. When you make mistakes early on and they get one or two turnovers, heads can drop a wee bit. That’s just learning for us. We have to be tuned in from minute one, no matter who you’re playing.”

Momentum

Once Armagh built momentum, Cavan struggled to halt it, something Conroy acknowledged must improve.

“There has to be a way of getting momentum back,” he said. “We probably needed to win our own kick-outs, win our own battles and get turnovers ourselves. Even at the start of the second half, we had a few attacks but probably didn’t use our heads and take the shots from the right positions. I think we had four or five shots in the first few minutes and didn’t get the return we needed. You’re giving the opposition a platform then for a kick-out or a turnover and they can go up and attack again. If we had got three or four points there, it might have given the boys confidence.”

He also pointed to Armagh’s effective use of the conditions, particularly their ability to score from distance.

“They used the wind well, especially with the two-pointers,” he said. “We were probably too slow getting out and pushing up on them. They had lads capable of kicking those scores and we just needed to get out quicker and put more pressure on.”

Knock-out

The defeat leaves Cavan facing a decisive final group game away to Down in Páirc Esler, with progression still in their own hands.

“It’s knock-out football for us now,” the Lavey man said. “We were always talking about going there to get a win, but it won’t be easy. Down will be hurting too and they’re always tough at home. But look, we just have to reset now and get after the next performance.”

For now, the focus is on recovery and refocusing the group ahead of that crucial clash.

“The lads will get a couple of days now to clear their heads,” he said. “Then we’ll be back in for good training. You just have to use the hurt as motivation and go again.”