Jonsmith - I've been attending Cavan games since the early 80s, and still attend them, have attended most games this year, except one McKenna Cup game...how many have you seen? I've probably seen a few more than Skelling in the USA who has attended 0, but still feels qualified to make comments.
I beg to differ, and I'm sure that most genuine fans will agree, we have not been playing attacking football for the last year. There was some attacking football, but not a lot, but I will say that when we did attack, we did it very well. The nine point lead against Tyrone at half time in last years McKenna Cup Final stands out, as did the 5 point lead against Monaghan in the Championship and the 5 point lead against Meath in the league, but in all cases, we slid back into that defensive shell and conceded good leads.
Again Jonsmith, I notice how you look to absolve management of any fault, like you did with the U21 management and lay blame on the players! well done Jon.
Anyone arguing that we didn't play a blanket defence - you might want to compare our scoring averages and player stats.

Well all the games I've been at Martin, I've been watching the game not updating a facebook page constantly!!

Ah yes this notion of "laying the blame"... I would be of the opinion that a defeat doesn't necessitate any blame. I believe that in defeat you review what you wanted to achieve and why you didn't achieve it, where you need to work on going forward and where you did well. I don't believe in going around to ridicule, and I certainly don't believe in ranting online that certain young players made a panel because of politics.

You might believe in reviewing player stats and scoring averages but I would urge you Martin, go to the games and keep your eyes on the field.

Also, I would implore you to stop writing stuff like "No result next Sunday and it was all for nothing" on that facebook page. There's enough pressure involved on the players without that sort of rubbish, and I can tell you as I've heard it right from the horses mouth, the players don't appreciate it.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 29/03/2016 18:37:19    1839008

You know that kid that was in your class and even though the teacher told him the same thing every day, it just wouldn't go in? I give you Dean Martin. No matter how many times I tell him that I don't live in the USA or that I won't be going to any games this year he just forgets. I shouldn't bring it up in public I suppose but then again I can't let it go.

Just one other thing Dean, I didn't make any comments on the game. You must have imagined that bit too.

And again, if you'd like to compare attendance stats before we started letting just anyone on the panel, I'd be more than happy to oblige.

Skelling (USA) - Posts: 289 - 29/03/2016 19:07:47    1839022

There's a couple of lads on Deanos page and a bit like himself, they wouldn't go to a match if it was in their back yard. One like himself an ex underage footballer who lives the other end of the country and never goes to a match. Yet full of expertise on matches they never watched.

This will be like a championship game at the weekend. Galway have been playing well below their potential but if they get it together Cavan will have a tough day. A good start would settle us down. It would be a fine achievement to get into the top 8 and a credit to all involved in the efforts for the last 5 years.

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1483 - 29/03/2016 19:58:34    1839046

Would it be unreasonable to expect a home support of 10,000 plus on Sunday next? also would it be unreasonable to expect Keating to pass the ball if he finds himself (as he invariably does) in a poor and/or ridiculously impossible scoring position?

ramor101 (Cavan) - Posts: 289 - 29/03/2016 20:08:29    1839056

Same team as last sunday for the Galway game will b good enough to win.

Cavanlife (Cavan) - Posts: 54 - 29/03/2016 20:10:56    1839058

Keating wanted to get a score to show the manager that he should b starting and he was right to keep shooting.

Cavanlife (Cavan) - Posts: 54 - 29/03/2016 20:15:11    1839059

Keating was just too keen to make an impression. Understandable but not really acceptable. He needs to be a team player and I'm sure he would get credit for that.

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1483 - 29/03/2016 20:22:32    1839061

If Sunday is a decent day I would really hope we get out in our thousands. It's great to see the goodwill that is behind the team now. A few years ago there would barely be a murmur when the team took to the field or went in at half time. On Sunday there was a huge cheer for them each time.

Keating's decision to keep shooting when we were bursting forward with an overlap won't have done his chances of starting any good. He used to score maybe half of those sort of difficult shots, and even at that I always felt the shot selection was a problem, but he took 3 on Sunday and kicked them all wide. It's been a couple of years now since he had a good game for Cavan and he can't keep living off old performances. Who knows though perhaps the management are keen to build his confidence and told him to go out and have a lash. Either way, I'd have Jack Brady in to start with Johnston injured and Hayes on the bench. If it's a tight game we can't afford to be wasting so many chances.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 29/03/2016 20:32:44    1839064

Keating made an impression by winning those three balls and then undone all the good work by shooting from ridiculous positions. Same as league final versus Roscommon. Need to work the percentages and work it into proper positions. Don't believe it was all about needing to score. Just Eugene being Eugene.

doratheexplorer (Cavan) - Posts: 1467 - 29/03/2016 20:46:11    1839068

Agree with Dora.
Nobody is sent out with the message to shoot from ridiculous positions.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 29/03/2016 21:47:01    1839089

You're certainly some man for the stats Dean when they suit you. Scoring averages tell nothing. Football is not static, squads are not static, player development is not static and quality of opposition is not static. Looking at the tables what do the scoring averages tell you about Antrim for example. You'd say they're an all out attacking team. Stick that very same team in Division 2 for 7 games and you'd probably see a very different scoring average and deduce from your stats that they are a totally defensive team being held back by not trying to attack.
Anyway back to the game on Sunday, we shouldn't get too hung up on what Galway may bring. To say they're streets ahead of anything we faced so far is wrong. They're not. They're a good Division 2 team same as us. Comparing results against similar opposition tells us nothing either. We were full value for our wins so far but we move on. They're worth nothing now, only the survival they've already guaranteed. Sunday is a new game, winner takes all. We go in with no baggage and give it our all, no regrets. Let them worry about us more so we them.
We also need to stick with our players and give them time before we knock them too much. Keating gives his all and there is a good footballer in there. Who's to say he won't have a big say in our year yet and if he's being hailed on Sunday evening next then I'll be delighted for him.

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 30/03/2016 09:42:45    1839126

Surly Larry Reilly has 10mins in him at the end..... #Pace #Movement #Desire

Doglegright01 (Cavan) - Posts: 41 - 30/03/2016 09:44:41    1839127

Surly Larry Reilly has 10mins in him at the end..... #Pace #Movement #Desire

Doglegright01 (Cavan) - Posts:35 - 30/03/2016 09:44:41

It is true Larry and Stephen King have been brought into the panel ???

StirringIt (Cavan) - Posts: 374 - 30/03/2016 10:19:02    1839142

Excellent article here

http://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/breffni-boys-on-rise-now-that-shackles-are-off-34582974.html?utm_source=Newsweaver&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Colm+Keys%3A+Breffni+boys+on+rise+now+that+shackles+are+off&utm_campaign=250%2C000+homes+face+boil-water+notices%2C+Irish+Water+warns

doratheexplorer (Cavan) - Posts: 1467 - 30/03/2016 10:49:20    1839164

Good article. Goals were a problem in the league last year.

Johnston was never really a goal poacher in the past for Cavan, He has scored 3 in the league which is a decent return a along with the help of Givney.
Cavan haven't had many natural goal scorers since Jason Reilly.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 30/03/2016 12:57:18    1839215

Good article alright.
I remember that day against the Dubs well.
It shows the transition from where we were to where we are now.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 30/03/2016 13:04:09    1839216

Why do people think it's a good article?

It reads like a collection of stats and facts to me? Anyone can print that. Just wondering what passes for good journalism these days.

Skelling (USA) - Posts: 289 - 30/03/2016 14:59:25    1839291

Accurate facts and stats by keys. Brolly was calling Cavan the black death a few months after they scored 1-22 in Celtic park.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 30/03/2016 15:26:18    1839308

Well facts and stats are true by definition. Good journalism though?

Skelling (USA) - Posts: 289 - 30/03/2016 15:34:20    1839315

Research

doratheexplorer (Cavan) - Posts: 1467 - 30/03/2016 15:41:09    1839322