Cavan Forum

Cavan V Donegal

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Cavan showed Donegal too much respect in last years final, and game was effectively over at half time.
They need to go in determined for 70 minutes. Donegal look to be better then last year, so obviously a big challenge.
Cavan still gifting a lot of goal chances, which Donegal will punish. But at least Its something to work on.

Madden giving Cavan a threat inside with his size. Galligan, Faulkner Clarke, McKiernan have good size to compete around the middle against Donegal. More size, then what Down would have posed.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 16/11/2020 12:31:42    2309983

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Congrats to Mickey, the lads, their fathers and mothers etc. etc.
The mood after the Armagh win last year wasn't long turning on it's head after the Donegal & Tyrone hammerings so we should not get carried away by beating a brittle Down team and move swiftly on to the next test. Mickey the Great must plan a win even at risk of a hammering, but the measure of progress from last year will probably be to be within a kick of a ball of a draw with a few minutes left. A fine line. He has pulled some great rabbits from his hat and hopefully he has a few more, but I would still have a few concerns about some consistent flaws we seem to have that need addressing. This is the team I would pick for the job:

GK: R Galligan

FB Line: J McLoughlin, K Clarke, Timoney
Clarke playing alright but too ponderous and uneffective up the field so needs to be brought back to best position and to free up Faulkner. Luke Fortune got a bit of a skinning in the corner so needs to be moved back the WB. Timoney is next in line for his shot as no one else has put their hand up as a man marker of the lads that have been tried since the return.

Goal Stopper Line:
Padraig Faulkner Stopper
Killian Gunner Backup Padraig Faulkner

Half Back Line: Luke Fortune, Gerry Smith, Oisin Kiernan, Ciaran Brady, Chris Conroy, Martin Reilly,
We can't take Donegal on man for man for 70 mins and come out the better of it. So I would just play all 6 of these as half backs to put up an anti point scoring screen on the 45 for 2/3's of the game before going for it with 15 mins left. Conroy in from the start to try to mind the ball along and refill the lungs along with Martin R & Gerry Smith. Brady, O. Kiernan & Fortune have license to make an odd charge forwrad.

Midfield:
G McKiernan (Attacking Midfielder)

Forwards:
Tom Galligan, TED
Bar a few glimpses in the first half against Monaghan, Pierson & Stephen Smith have not looked at a level that could be effective from the start against Donegal inside. At best they need to be held until near the end to get an impact out of them. Think we need to keep someone as an impact sub to spur another comeback and if Galligan is going to have to start now, Madden will have to be that man. Like Timoney in the FB line, TED is next in line who deserves his shot in the absence of any other standouts.

Subs: C Madden (On at HT), Cormac O' Reilly (HT if fit?) James Smith (45th min if fit), N Murray (50m if fit) Stephen Murray (50m if fit) , Stephen Smith, Pierson (60m)

PatTheDandy (Cavan) - Posts: 282 - 16/11/2020 13:20:09    2310032

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "Cavan showed Donegal too much respect in last years final, and game was effectively over at half time.
They need to go in determined for 70 minutes. Donegal look to be better then last year, so obviously a big challenge.
Cavan still gifting a lot of goal chances, which Donegal will punish. But at least Its something to work on.

Madden giving Cavan a threat inside with his size. Galligan, Faulkner Clarke, McKiernan have good size to compete around the middle against Donegal. More size, then what Down would have posed."
Hi FoolsGold: That was a Powerful second half against Down, real Roy of the Rovers stuff.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 477 - 16/11/2020 13:24:43    2310034

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Yes definitely was Audi. Similar to Monaghan
I don't think it would happen against Donegal though

Donegal seem to have a few backs with niggles. McMenamin went off Saturday. Mcgrath

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 16/11/2020 13:34:37    2310042

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i have to agree with the idea that Mickey must plan to try and win the game even if it risks a hammering. We have enough good men around the middle of the field to be competitive in that sector. The best way to stop the Donegal forwards is to starve them of the ball. Push up on their kick outs and turn it into a battle zone in the midfield sector.

We have to have a cut at them, we can't just stand back and let them over power us.

kildare blue (Cavan) - Posts: 572 - 16/11/2020 14:32:08    2310088

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Replying To kildare blue:  "i have to agree with the idea that Mickey must plan to try and win the game even if it risks a hammering. We have enough good men around the middle of the field to be competitive in that sector. The best way to stop the Donegal forwards is to starve them of the ball. Push up on their kick outs and turn it into a battle zone in the midfield sector.

We have to have a cut at them, we can't just stand back and let them over power us."
The problem with that is, if Donegal go long and win their fair share (and they will. .Patton has the best kickout in the game, seriously the man is ridiculously accurate), us pushing up leaves our defense wide open.

Pushing up works if we completely dominate midfield. I don't think we'll dominate midfield against Donegal.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4135 - 16/11/2020 14:38:53    2310097

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We need to tighten up at the back, Donegal looked razor sharp against Armagh, and the likes of Brennan and Mogan have ridiculous pace that we may struggle with.

I think we are at our best when we play catch and kick, old fashioned, no nonsense football. Galligan and Madden, when they are on form can trouble any defence in Ireland. Both strong lads with a good pair of hands. Well able to win marks and kick scores. Neil McGee, although once a formidable unit, is not getting any younger.

Put Gearoid at midfield and have Galligan land the kickouts on top of him.
I feel there is a big performance in Martin Reilly next week.

Last year we played the occasion and not the match itself, which, I suppose, is understandable in a way, we hadn't made the final in 22 years afterall.

No such excuses this time. Let's go.

Cavan_Shambles (Cavan) - Posts: 406 - 16/11/2020 16:08:49    2310180

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "Yes definitely was Audi. Similar to Monaghan
I don't think it would happen against Donegal though

Donegal seem to have a few backs with niggles. McMenamin went off Saturday. Mcgrath"
Hi foolsgold:. Yes that's our downfall at present. Mc Menamin hamstring. Mc Grath will directly replace him if he's fit. Neil Mc Gee back spasms but ok at the minute. Mc Fadden Ferry abroad with army. Cavan must be buzzing after yesterday.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 477 - 16/11/2020 18:08:43    2310265

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Jason McGee was excellent last year against Cavan in midfield. He was carrying injury this year, good option off the bench for Donegal along with McBrearty and Oisin Gallon.

Armagh a strange choice of venue. Brewster Park in between the Counties. Possibly with the weather it wouldn't be playable there in Enniskillen . Not that Armagh was great yesterday, cut up in second half

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 16/11/2020 18:31:09    2310280

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "Jason McGee was excellent last year against Cavan in midfield. He was carrying injury this year, good option off the bench for Donegal along with McBrearty and Oisin Gallon.

Armagh a strange choice of venue. Brewster Park in between the Counties. Possibly with the weather it wouldn't be playable there in Enniskillen . Not that Armagh was great yesterday, cut up in second half"
Pundits are saying that Donegal are the only team that can beat Dublin - wait a minute, Donegal are the only team that can beat Cavan.
Declankillann

declankillann (Dublin) - Posts: 27 - 16/11/2020 20:27:58    2310360

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I have just being going back through some of the results from recent year against Donegal in both under 21 and senior.

2017 - Under 21 Ulster Semi Final - Donegal 3-17 0-13 Cavan
2017 - NFL Division One League - Donegal 1-16 0-11 Cavan
2018 - Under 20 Ulster Quarter Final - Donegal 2- 21 0-10 Cavan
2018 - Ulster Championship First Round - Donegal 2-20 1-15 Cavan
2019 - Ulster Final - Donegal 1-24 2-16 Cavan

They have given us some serious tanking's in the last few years and lets be honest they probably love seeing us coming and they more than likely have no respect for us.
We need to change that this Sunday, Mickey needs to use that to almost create anger amongst the group and if the anger can be channeled in the right way it can be a really positive situation.
In a lot of those games I have mentioned we never laid a glove on them . While I admit they are a fabulous team I think we should be a lot closer than the above results show. They have not been winning all Irelands or even been close if we are honest. We need to start believing in ourselves a lot of lads have won their share of Ulster under 21 medals too beating Tyrone and Donegal in them. Lets not forget that.
While its going to be a massive task lets not deny that, but lets look them in the eye on Sunday and see where it takes us. Mickey is a very cute manager and you just have to look at his record in the Leinster club with Mullinghta, they learned every year and came back and finally got their reward. Lets see how much we learned from last year.

blueskies (Cavan) - Posts: 151 - 16/11/2020 21:53:53    2310427

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Alot of people are saying that Donegal are already Ulster champions. This is a great incentive for Cavan as Mickey said to the team at 1/2 time on Sunday- they have nothing to lose. Cavan will win, if start on Sunday just like the way they finished last Sunday but they will have to play for 75 minutes-no let up. I know this is a big ask but they can do it. Best of luck

gaasport (Longford) - Posts: 8 - 16/11/2020 23:59:36    2310464

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Firstly Well done Micley Dermot and the all the lads. Didnt look good at half time but came out for second half all guns blazing. It might not look great but letting the ball into the full forward line early and long will 9 times out of 10 work very well.Next Sunday I would put Madden inside on the square with Martin Reilly up there beside him. Two half Forwards Mc Kiernan and Oisin Kiernan. Midfield Thomas Galligan and James Smith 5 half backs Killian Clarke at No. 6 .Ciaran Brady and Niall Murray each side of him . These two wing men getting up to support your forwards. The two other half backs Luke Fortune and Gerry Smith would stay in defensive positions and hold. Play Faulkner at Full Back .Killian Gunner (needs to stop the silly fouls) and Jason Mc Loughlin in the corners.Of course Ray Galligan in Nets. Think thats our best 15 at the minute. It doesnt leave a lot to bring in for the second half. Comac O Reilly maybe but would have to play close to goals. Stephen Murray if available. And Timoney for defense.We cant afford a slow start like all the other games cos Donegal are a different animal so throw off the shackles and forget about the slow build up play and start launching that ball towards the Donegal goals We need more Marks Small 30 yard passes diagonally into Madden Reilly and McKiernan. These are handy scores. We need to work on them.

More aggression from the start Siege mentality for an hour or so and Dont let Neil Mc Gee get away with what he did last year.Go out and give it a good lash and you never know. P.S When is the Al semis

Allrevvedup (Cavan) - Posts: 10 - 17/11/2020 01:17:00    2310469

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Sometimes it's better to have a lucky manager than a good one

tom84 (Cavan) - Posts: 247 - 17/11/2020 07:55:21    2310487

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Replying To tom84:  "Sometimes it's better to have a lucky manager than a good one"
Fortunately we have both.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4135 - 17/11/2020 10:50:57    2310536

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Replying To declankillann:  "Pundits are saying that Donegal are the only team that can beat Dublin - wait a minute, Donegal are the only team that can beat Cavan.
Declankillann"
No, i don't think you'll hear anyone say that out of the remaining teams in the championship, donegal are the only team that can beat cavan..it's just that none of the rest will get the chance to play them.

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1481 - 17/11/2020 11:46:37    2310551

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Replying To wishfulthinkin:  "No, i don't think you'll hear anyone say that out of the remaining teams in the championship, donegal are the only team that can beat cavan..it's just that none of the rest will get the chance to play them."
So WISHFULTHINKIN agrees with me that Donegal are the only team that can beat Cavan.
Declankillann

declankillann (Dublin) - Posts: 27 - 17/11/2020 12:08:55    2310561

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Replying To cavanman47:  "Fortunately we have both."
Mr motivator I'd call Mickey Graham excellent so far.

[email protected] (Cavan) - Posts: 28 - 17/11/2020 12:47:42    2310586

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Replying To blueskies:  "I have just being going back through some of the results from recent year against Donegal in both under 21 and senior.

2017 - Under 21 Ulster Semi Final - Donegal 3-17 0-13 Cavan
2017 - NFL Division One League - Donegal 1-16 0-11 Cavan
2018 - Under 20 Ulster Quarter Final - Donegal 2- 21 0-10 Cavan
2018 - Ulster Championship First Round - Donegal 2-20 1-15 Cavan
2019 - Ulster Final - Donegal 1-24 2-16 Cavan

They have given us some serious tanking's in the last few years and lets be honest they probably love seeing us coming and they more than likely have no respect for us.
We need to change that this Sunday, Mickey needs to use that to almost create anger amongst the group and if the anger can be channeled in the right way it can be a really positive situation.
In a lot of those games I have mentioned we never laid a glove on them . While I admit they are a fabulous team I think we should be a lot closer than the above results show. They have not been winning all Irelands or even been close if we are honest. We need to start believing in ourselves a lot of lads have won their share of Ulster under 21 medals too beating Tyrone and Donegal in them. Lets not forget that.
While its going to be a massive task lets not deny that, but lets look them in the eye on Sunday and see where it takes us. Mickey is a very cute manager and you just have to look at his record in the Leinster club with Mullinghta, they learned every year and came back and finally got their reward. Lets see how much we learned from last year."
Am I right in thinking though blueskies if you go back before 2017 that your boys had the beating of ours year after year at underage? I don't have the numbers in front of me but I would hazard a guess there's a good number in both panels from those years?

In terms of respect I think we will be taking yous very seriously, I thought if a flat performance was coming it would be a week after the big win v Tyrone and Armagh possibly catching us on the hop. I don't think that will happen now after the performance we gave at the weekend.

The positives from a Cavan POV would be your strength is definitely our weakness - fast high quality ball into the full forward line. Especially as we will be missing McMenamin, our full back line has potential to be exposed.

We have also not been able to mark Gearoid McKiernan even in the good victories we have had against yous in recent years, and with the form he has shown so far in championship that is a danger.

I would be lying if I said I didn't expect us to win but I think it will be closer than the final last year and personally am uncomfortable with a lot of the media chatter about us vs. the Dubs. Ulster finals will always make me nervous no matter the opposition.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1125 - 17/11/2020 13:08:13    2310606

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Yeah there would be a few from those teams that played against Donegal, Ciaran Brady, Clarke, Faulkner, Gerry Smith, McGlauglin, Madden
They didn't play Donegal in 2011 during the first of 4 in a row.

Donegal were the last team to beat Cavan u21s, before that 4 in a row, in 2010 Ulster final and ended that run in 2015.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 17/11/2020 13:33:14    2310624

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