Hyland confident for tonight

Cavan manager Terry Hyland has reported a clean bill of health ahead of tonight's Ulster U21 final against Tyrone (Brewster Park, 8pm). Hyland and selectors Ronan Carolan, Joe McCarthy and Anthony Forde will name their starting team at 4.30pm today, Wednesday, but sources suggest there will be no changes to the starting line-up. Corner-forward Jack Brady has been suffering from a calf injury but will be fit to take his place, as will wing-forward Niall Smith, who has also been carrying a knock since the semi-final win against Donegal. A large crowd is expected at Brewster Park as Cavan go in search of what would be only their third Ulster U21 title since the competition was initiated in 1969. "The players are upbeat and buzzing about the final," said team manager Terry Hyland yesterday (Tuesday), "hopefully if we can take that attitude into the game, we should be there or thereabouts." Tyrone reached the decider with a semi-final win over Monaghan and a three-game epic quarter-final series against Down. While they won the corresponding title as minors in 2008, their ranks were boosted by another minor All Ireland last season and it is that crop - including the likes of Niall Sludden and Ronan O'Neill - which forms the backbone of the team. Cavan, for their part, have an astonishingly high retention rate from 2008, with 16 of the 18 players who featured that day in Clones still on the panel while a good portion played in the 2010 Ulster final at this grade. Cavan are rated at 7/4 outsiders to win but it's worth noting they were favourites to defeat Donegal in last year's final, having been underdogs in the previous two rounds against Monaghan and Down, which they won. Full preview, pages 24 and 25 of print edition.