Cavan play Queen?s this Saturday evening
Cavan have their third game in Group C of the Dr. McKenna Cup when they play host to Queens University, Belfast at Kingscourt Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday evening next under lights at 6 p.m. The Breffnimen were in action against Antrim in Casement Park, Belfast, last night (Wednesday) four days after defeating Monaghan in the opening game at the Cavan venue.
It was a purely experimental Breffni side which faced Monaghan and many of the newcomers made a decisive impact. When the team to play Armagh in the opening game of the national league on Sunday 3rd February is chosen it will be vastly different but 'blooding' the newcomers at county level in competitions like this one will provide valuable experience for the players and also give the selectors the opportunity of assessing the talent available.
Cavan manager Donal Keogan has said the McKenna Cup is being used as preparation for the more difficult league games ahead.
Playing teams like Armagh, Dublin, Cork, Meath and Monaghan is a test in itself and will provide the players with the opportunity of meeting teams at a much higher level than Cavan.
When they play Queens at Kingspan/Breffni Park on Saturday evening next it is likely that the team management will confine changes to two in personnel with James Reilly replacing James Carolan in goal against Antrim and the Lavey player returning for the game against Queens. There is hope that Finbar O'Reilly (Lacken) and Michael Brides (Redhills) will be back after a spell out through injury and will join the squad for the Queen's game.
It is also likely that Anthony Forde may return to centre-half back for one of the two games. Another player who could get a run against Queens is Limerick-based Gavin Doyle (Arva).
Newcomers
There were at least half a dozen players who were making their debut against Monaghan, among them goalkeeper James Carolan (Lavey); It was also great to see 31 year old full-back John Clarke (Castlerahan) coming into the panel and making a valuable contribution as did John McCutcheon (Cootehill) at right-half back and David Rooney (Bailieboro') on the other wing; Declan Gaffney (Crosserlough) at midfield; James Clarke (Killinkere) in the half-forward line with Ryan McCormack (Kingscourt) another fine prospect at right-corner.
All of the newcomers produced wholehearted displays with John McCutcheon very impressive in defence as was Padraig O'Reilly (Ballinagh). Mark McKeever at midfield also had a particularly fine game and it's possible that the versatile Gowna player may feel more comfortable in this position as he has previously played in defence and in attack.
Future teams
Some of the players who the selectors will be looking at with regard to Cavan's future teams include and who impressed against Monaghan include goalkeeper James Carolan who impressed with his lengthy kickouts.
Keith Fannin (Drumgoon) at left-back. Padraig O'Reilly from Ballinagh, who had an outstanding game at centre-half back and John McCutcheon on his debut were solid also in the half-back line. Mark McKeever at midfield had his best game in the Cavan jersey for some time.
Lorcan Mulvey (Butlers-bridge) is also available for the game with Queens after a bout of flu.
In attack, Jason Reilly was Cavan's most dangerous forward against Monaghan, while Martin Reilly (Killygarry) and Ryan McCormack were among the scorers against Monaghan.
Players like Ronan Flanagan, Dermot Sheridan, Michael Lyng and Seanie Johnston will return to the panel from their colleges teams after the McKenna Cup and O'Byrne Cup providing the team management with a much stronger panel for the league competition.
Queen's University have already been in action against Monaghan which they won by one point 0-10 to 0-9 in Clones but their game with Antrim was postponed. At the moment the Belfast college are joint top of Group C. In the recent Ryan Cup final in Silverbridge they were defeated by DCU by 1-14 to 1-4. The Dublin college included Dermot Sheridan at right-back, Ronan Flanagan at left-half back and Micheal Lyng on the 40, the Cavan Gaels player scoring 1-1.
Queen's manager Aidan O'Rourke, who is using the competition as a springboard towards retaining the Sigerson Cup, has been concerned about the lack of firepower in the attack with Down star Paul McComiskey the only real threat in attack and who has become the team's leading scorer. They also have a strong midfield in Charlie Vernon and Paul Courtney.
The Down connection continues with the likes of Joe O'Rourke and Joe Ireland who hope to figure in the county team later in the season.
Playing at home on Saturday evening next at 6 p.m. the Breffni side will be expected to gain another win and put themselves in contention for a place in the knock-out stages of the competition.