For now leave Clarke where he is and when Rory Dunne is fit and healthy again slot Clarke into the wing half back roll which will give him the option to run at the opposition or cover Rory Dunne's position when Rory deserts his post while attacking there are loads of permutations available to Mr Hyland now with the quality of players he has at his disposal. Of course there is room for James McEnroe people forget easy don't they. He should always be part of the panel of 26. He would be the last person I would be in a hurry to dispose of thats for sure. Mackey a potential all star not so long ago now people are questioning his game. He is not fully fit yet and don't forget that. Same applies to Martin Reilly all of a sudden he has fallen out of favour with many supporters boy your memories are short thats for sure. When the pitches start to dry up these lad's will come good again, the conditions of Breifni park were not conductive to free flowing football and also he has been playing more as a defender than a half forward.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 05/04/2016 14:15:56    1842123

This is the first year we have a settled back line . For years and years we changed our full back during the league and again in the championship . If you look at the big teams , they try and keep the same spine of the team in place ! Yes we can slot in half backs and wing/ corner forwards but let's try bar injury and keep the settled spine we have , mainly because it's working .

Awwwwnow (Cavan) - Posts: 1050 - 05/04/2016 16:52:55    1842226

sean - I understand what you re saying about Martin Reilly . Rory Dunne, Mc Enroe and Mackey - great servants over the last number of years but things move on. Players are at their peak now a lot earlier - probably in their mid twenties. Those lads have a lot of mileage in their legs with the matches and especially the almost nightly training programmes. Dunne and Mackey in particular have had a lot of injuries too which are bound to take their toll. So I would use them sparingly - brilliant subs to bring on to give the team and the crowd a lift when needed. Its a twenty man game nowadays - there's a time and a place for everyone. Let the younger lads at it , they have nt let us down so far.

tenyearplan (Cavan) - Posts: 147 - 05/04/2016 20:50:41    1842341

sean - I understand what you re saying about Martin Reilly . Rory Dunne, Mc Enroe and Mackey - great servants over the last number of years but things move on. Players are at their peak now a lot earlier - probably in their mid twenties. Those lads have a lot of mileage in their legs with the matches and especially the almost nightly training programmes. Dunne and Mackey in particular have had a lot of injuries too which are bound to take their toll. So I would use them sparingly - brilliant subs to bring on to give the team and the crowd a lift when needed. Its a twenty man game nowadays - there's a time and a place for everyone. Let the younger lads at it , they have nt let us down so far.

tenyearplan (Cavan) - Posts:72 - 05/04/2016 20:50:41 1842341

I agree to an extent but McEnroe is a young man Makey is under thirty I think Martin Reilly is under thirty as well and Rory is a young man flipping hell if we have replacements for these fellas we must have really outstanding players on the bench. Remember who kept us in Division 2 last year don't forget this. Makey is not an impact sub he is a starter and then replace him when he has done the damage. Bringing him on for ten or fifteen minuets is not enough but if injured well thats a different story. Remember Martin and Rory have suffered injuries as has Seanie Johnston so please don't write off quality players for the young lads are not just ready yet when needed but they are close. There is a nice balance there now so lets see the year out with a good championship and who knows what might happen.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 05/04/2016 21:31:03    1842368

Tenyearplan

So should we bench mossy and Johnston older than all the players you mentioned and also plenty of miles on the clock? Glad you don't pick the team, obviously don't see the bigger picture of what these players do on the field of play.

Jim_Shorts (Cavan) - Posts: 96 - 05/04/2016 21:37:28    1842373

Aidan O Mahony and Marc O Se are 36 this year. Donaghy, Cooper, Brian Sheehan, are all over 30. Donegal have plenty too, McGee, Kavanagh , Gallagher, Lacey,

Experience is vital in any team and if a player is fit and able to contribute, they should be considered.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2831 - 05/04/2016 21:45:55    1842381

With the power that Cavan have now on the bench and others to even get into the 26, I think that in the next couple of years we are going to move into another gear. Some of our best campaigners over the last few years who have played in an All Ireland quarter final are not even in the 26! I mean, Dunne will get back in most likely but who will be sacrificed? McEnroe has been a great servant but will struggle. Martin Dunne is gone, Mackey on the bench, Damien O'Reilly gone and would struggle to get back in, Toasty gone. All of the above players were pivotal in our charge up the rankings and our overall improvement. If you look at Donegal with that demographic, they will need time to build in new players and this will be an opportunity for us. Tyrone have some excellent young players also but they will need time to adjust to senior football like our lads have.

I think that the next 3 years are crucial for us. Getting back to the subject of this thread - changes for the championship - well, lets see how the final goes but I don't see any wholesale changes at all. There will be a ferocious battle to make the 26 against Armagh!

Reformation (Cavan) - Posts: 356 - 06/04/2016 09:08:48    1842408

Aidan O Mahony and Marc O Se are 36 this year. Donaghy, Cooper, Brian Sheehan, are all over 30. Donegal have plenty too, McGee, Kavanagh , Gallagher, Lacey,

Experience is vital in any team and if a player is fit and able to contribute, they should be considered.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts:1330 - 05/04/2016 21:45:55 1842381

I think FoolsGold that post sums it up nicely.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 06/04/2016 11:12:17    1842476

This is a ridiculous thread. Some people are never happy.

I wouldn't make any changes. See who is available on the day and away you go.

ArminTamzarian (Cavan) - Posts: 66 - 06/04/2016 11:44:18    1842500

This is a ridiculous thread. Some people are never happy.

ArminTamzarian (Cavan) - Posts:63 - 06/04/2016 11:44:18


Why is it ridiculous?

People have different opinions and suggestions on what they believe might be our strongest team.
I didn't see anyone posting to say they were not happy either. Just people giving their opinions on what might be our strongest team if everyone was available or thinking about the next step up. I'd say the selectors are doing the same thing and preparing for the road ahead.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 06/04/2016 15:49:39    1842681

Sean,

I mentioned Martin Reilly and Cian Mackey in a previous post and think you might have missed the point I was making. I think they are integral to our prospects of progressing, no question. Martin is as honest as the day is long and empties his tank well before the end of the game. Cian is very creative and has the ability to open up defences and create overlaps.

The point I was making is that if we are moving from an overly defensive strategy, and thank God it looks like we are, then they need to modify their approach. On the evidence of the games since the Meath match, these two in particular still seem to be living in the past by holding up play and slowing down the flow of the ball from defence to attack. This very nearly allowed Galway to recover last Sunday and when Martin was replaced, we started to attack at pace again.

We need all players singing from the same new hymn sheet and I hope that they can. It would be very surprising, and very disappointing, if it were the case that they were so institutionalised by the defensive game that they can't adopt to a forward going strategy.

ondforty (Cavan) - Posts: 461 - 06/04/2016 16:50:53    1842732

Never was looking as forward to playing Tyrone as I am now. We have a great shot at it and I can see Us turning them over on this occasion.

ranger (None) - Posts: 166 - 06/04/2016 18:23:15    1842778

Yes ontheforty I fully understand but one has to realise all well most on this current panel were part of the old system and I am sure Martin will adapt along with the others he has been around a long while now and it would be great to see players like him pick up a league medal on the 24th.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 06/04/2016 19:42:20    1842807

Martin Reilly is one of our best players, one of the first names on the team sheet and rightly so. He was everywhere on Sunday. The "let it in" brigade may not like when he recycles the ball but it has to happen some of the time. I'd rather that than Moynagh's approach which appears to be to look for the killer pass every time and take it whether its on or not.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 06/04/2016 19:50:38    1842813

Agree JonSmith
Martin is pivotal to this team, work rate is second to none. Winning ball in the back line, ability to glide by players at ease, setting up attacks, quality balls into the forwards. Martin alway does the simple things right.

Jim_Shorts (Cavan) - Posts: 96 - 06/04/2016 20:57:34    1842836

Yeah Moynagh would need to improve on his desion making with the ball.

James McEnroe a solid centre back so the pressure will be on.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2831 - 06/04/2016 21:49:02    1842860