Mickey Graham was overcome with emotion after Cavan trumped Armagh in yesterday's replay to reach their first Ulster SFC final in 18 years.

The Breffni County will face holders Donegal in the decider in a fortnight's time and Graham is in no doubt that playing in Division 1 of the Allianz League this year has stood to his team.

"I am a Cavan man and I have seen more bad days than good days. I was lucky as a player to be involved in two Ulster finals in 1997 which we won obviously and 2001 as well," he said.

“It is a long time for a county like Cavan who have great tradition. I am emotional because I know the work those lads have put in because they fully deserve it.

“In the heat of battle, that’s when you need the right men on the ball, but during the league, we weren’t doing that. We were giving the ball away cheaply when we found ourselves in positions to win games and it cost us. But by God, we have learned from Division One this year. We learned about composure, how you get punished against the top teams when you don’t take the right options.

“And that was a hard learning curve, but it stood to us in this Ulster championship.”

Tweet

Most Read Stories