Well, what's the opinions on this one?
Very hard to pick a team but I expect a few changes in personnel after yesterday especially if injury forces Terry's hand. Maybe Rory Dunne to start, Killian Clarke to move further outfield. Niall Murray or Josh Hayes possibly to start. If Seanie is injured maybe Jack Brady has done enough to start? I'm going to have a stab at picking the team. It's probably cruel on a few players as there is no one you could say deserves to be dropped but it's an important game and if we lose it's the last competitive outing before Championship. So with one eye on the championship this is my team for next week.
Galligan
Faulkner Dunne McLoughlin
C.Brady Moynagh Murray(or Hayes?)
Corr Clarke
McVeety McKiernan Reilly(or Mackey?)
Givney Argue Johnson/J.Brady(or Keating?)

That's how I'd like to see us start and go for it. If Johnson is injured I'd give Jack Brady the nod. Those in brackets are very close but just miss out. Hope it's a good dry day, we get a good crowd and a great game of football. After that may the best team win. I'm very confident. I think we are a much improved team on last year and are better prepared going into the final day. I'm calling a Cavan win. Good luck to the lads.

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 28/03/2016 15:31:03    1838462

I think he will stick with the same team apart from Johnstone. possibly play Keating or Brady instead.

the Cavan team that played Galway last year:

Cavan: C Gilsenan; J McLoughlin, R Dunne, R Flanagan; K Brady, F Flanagan, J McEnroe; T Corr, G McKiernan; D McVeety, C Moynagh, M Reilly; J Brady, C Mackey, N McDermott. Subs:M Dunne for K Brady (23), B Fitzpatrick for J Brady (50), N Murray for R Flanagan (67), C Conroy for Moynagh (69).

probably only 7 starters from that team starting on Sunday.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5520 - 28/03/2016 17:18:50    1838499

He will start with the same 15 that started yesterday and Clarke is better off starting in the position designated. You will see all Cavan players are now attacking footballers from 1 to 15. I also think if Rory is brought on I hope it's only for no more than 20 minuets if needed no more please.
I will not change my mind it's winner takes all and if it's not broken why fix it. Great to see you are happy to start Raymond Galligan this is a big change from what many were spouting about since he was given the slot, well done Raymond.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 28/03/2016 17:43:01    1838506

I think this one will come too soon for Rory Dunne. There is too much at stake to risk him and I am a huge fan of his. But timing is important and this is not the right time. I would be surprised if it is not Jack in for Seanie who looks to have torn his hamstring. Otherwise, I don't see any further changes needed unless they are forced.

This is still a massive challenge for the lads, I really hope that home advantage will see us over the line but this is a very good Galway team and they will be the best team that we have met in Breffni this year. A loose display will not be enough to see us promoted. Best of luck lads!

Reformation (Cavan) - Posts: 356 - 28/03/2016 18:16:24    1838528

Hardtimes
You're mad in the head if you think Dunne is going to oust Clarke from fullback. Clarke is solid and needed in that position. Fullback ain't a position you can mess around with just to accommodate Dunne. Dunne will have to earn his place. Anyway buchanan is doing rightly in midlfield.
The same 15 will start if fit.

Jim_Shorts (Cavan) - Posts: 96 - 28/03/2016 18:35:39    1838533

Hardtimes
You're mad in the head if you think Dunne is going to oust Clarke from fullback. Clarke is solid and needed in that position. Fullback ain't a position you can mess around with just to accommodate Dunne. Dunne will have to earn his place. Anyway buchanan is doing rightly in midlfield.
The same 15 will start if fit.

Jim_Shorts (Cavan) - Posts:52 - 28/03/2016 18:35:39 1838533

Rory is an excellent back and equally as good as Clarke so don't get carried away. Rory is solid the only issues I would have with him is he deserts his post quiet a lot going forward so if fit as an attacking half back and let Clarke where he is but it's up to Mr Hyland at the end of the day.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 28/03/2016 19:02:16    1838542

No seanorinn, Dunne is not equally as good as Clarke, so you my friend don't get carried away!

Jim_Shorts (Cavan) - Posts: 96 - 28/03/2016 20:02:04    1838566

Clarke has to stay at fullback. He showed cuteness when dealing with kingston and the same will be needed to deal with comer if he lines out at full forward. Jack brady probably done enough to replace johnson but we need a full hour of it. Thought the subs could have come earlier against laois and i think this will be the case against galway. Real tight contest but we are showing vision which i haven't necessarily seen before and this should be just enough against galway. We cannot affort the tally of wides either and strange thing is a dry day really suits us..

ponger (Cavan) - Posts: 544 - 28/03/2016 20:12:55    1838572

On another note ,Whatever about promotion i would to get a crack against tyrone in croker to find out where we really are..

ponger (Cavan) - Posts: 544 - 28/03/2016 20:16:33    1838577

Dunne is a good full back. Cavan had a problem in that position for a while before he nailed it down. Man of the match against Donaghy in 2013.

Clarke is obviously a good player too and performing well at full back, but has the ability to play in half back or midfield. Though you wouldn't drop anyone in those positions at present.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2832 - 28/03/2016 20:26:11    1838586

Fully fit, Rory is too good, too consistent and too much of a leader to leave on the bench. Killian Clarke is a better all around footballer and can be utilised elsewhere safe in the knowledge that the full back position is no weaker with Rory there.

The worry now is the full forward line. With Johnston out our attack is blunted. Keating is playing himself further down the pecking order with each appearance. If Terry is going by form, Jack Brady has to be given the nod next Sunday.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 28/03/2016 20:26:23    1838587

On another note ,Whatever about promotion i would to get a crack against tyrone in croker to find out where we really are..

ponger (Cavan) - Posts:315 - 28/03/2016 20:16:33 1838577

Not sure of your post why Croke Park ? would Clones not do you or even Breffni Park. Micky Harte is a shrude operator and as he has said many times every match he wants to win so he would be giving it his best shot don't you think.
We will get a very good opportunity next Sunday how far we have progressed. This a pressure game and I suppose a chance to sort the wheat from the chaff.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 29/03/2016 09:39:53    1838641

All National League finals are in Croke Park. Not that Cavan are there yet to be mentioning it.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2832 - 29/03/2016 10:13:22    1838654

Sean, why wouldn't I be glad to see Ray Galligan do well? It was a very brave call by management that could have easily backfired and alienated some players especially as he was fast tracked into the championship team on the pretext of free taker, something which has yet to materialize. Hopefully he continues his progress and gets a little more confidence on his kicking- we desperately need a free taker.
Jim Shorts, you'll see just how mad in the head I am come Championship. I'll not claim to be privy to the medical condition of our players but Dunne has been featuring now for a few weeks. If he's fit enough to play he's fit enough to start. Rory Dunne is our first choice full back. You put your best foot forward therefore you put your best team out. If next week is too early so be it but our full back line looks healthy without Clarke. Clarke is simply a class footballer- one of our best in fact. I'd much rather see him tormenting a team further out the field than have their star player torment him. Little tweaks can reap dividends, look at the drive McKiernan has given us from the 40. Clarke in midfield would add more drive IMO. Buchanan has done very well but he's young yet and he's going to have lapses. Give him time- if he continues to progress he will be nailing down a starting spot soon enough. I especially like the glimpses of vision he has shown as well. Great option to have on the bench. Johnson is a worry- we need him. He actually looks better than when he was with us before. Probably helps to have better players round him and not trying to put everything through him. If he's fit then one of the first names on the team sheet. On the team I picked I left Givney and Argue in the full forward line but did consider putting Mackey in there for one of them and give him a bit of a free reign to drift further outfield. Otherwise another great option to have on the bench. As a certain Dublin fighter would say- in this business it's great to have options!

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 29/03/2016 10:33:16    1838667

Nobody answered my question regarding McEnroe. Is he back?
What is the situation with Mc Dermott too, is he injured?
I think we have a great panel with many options which will stand to us if we can keep them all happy and on board.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 29/03/2016 11:10:00    1838691

Hadtimes my post was directed at the knockers regarding Galligan and I posted I think in a reply to one of your posts on something else.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 29/03/2016 11:20:36    1838702

Yeah McEnroe is back. Was in stand Sunday with squad players. Cavan are going to have a serious bench now when Fergal Flanagan and McDermot come back too. Tom Hayes also. Be competition just to get into match 26.

doratheexplorer (Cavan) - Posts: 1467 - 29/03/2016 11:35:57    1838707

Yeah there's plenty of knockers on here alright Sean although they're a bit quiet lately. Don't worry, they'll be back soon enough. It's only a matter of time before we lose a game either from having an off day or meeting a better team. Until then it's great to be able to discuss football for a change. It was almost at the point that you couldn't log on here for the ***** being posted.
Apparently McEnroe is hanging around the panel but my understanding is that he's still based in London? Don't know when he finishes but it would be great if he could commit. McDermot not back for a few weeks I think. Question maybe for Sean. Are Aron Watson, Conor Madden, Gerry Smith, Joe Dillon and Tom Hayes still involved with the panel. Also is Paul O'Connor fully fit? Same question regarding Fergal Flanagan? We certainly seem to have a very strong panel of players at the moment and some real talent in our underage ranks as well.

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 29/03/2016 11:49:26    1838717

Sunday is a huge game in Cavan football,
This is more a game of mental strength than footballing skills.
I believe we are the better team but do the players believe that and can they prove it on the pitch?
I'm not entirely confident we can.
I'm basing my theory on last years game against Monaghan in the championship.
We were the better team that day but when the game was there for the taking we crumbled
I hope i am wrong.

Steady_Eddie strikes again!

Steady_Eddie (Cavan) - Posts: 75 - 29/03/2016 11:55:19    1838722

Steady_Eddie

I agree with you on the Monaghan game. We were more focussed on NOT losing that game than we were on winning it !.
In my opinion,we were not confident enough nor had we enough self belief to push on and win that game.

We seemed to have a similar mind set in the first 2 games of the league and it looked like the same in the first half v Meath, but when we had not to lose we kicked off the shackles and played football instead of a system.

We proved over the past we games that we have a new resolve and getting past Laois on Sunday helped strengthen that resolve even more.

We are a different animal to last year and we appear to have more confidence and self belief.

I am confident we will beat Galway. It will e tight but I'm confident and I think we will give Tyrone something to think about in the final.

Like you and beautiful Fermanagh women, we have a lot to look forward to !!!!

FrDougalMaguire (Cavan) - Posts: 152 - 29/03/2016 12:32:48    1838750