The excitement just keeps going. Oh all want to know about Cavan. The build up to the Ulster Final, the endless holding your wisht to how good Donegal are, whilest holding your Gar of Philadelphia private voice inside, was so hard. They all knew Dubs n Donegal were set. Seán Cavanagh screamed it on Sunday Game. Colm O'Rourke said you could drive a bus through Cavan's defence. Didn't Cavan win experts? So I arrived to the folks house for the game. Keep the rituals, wearing jersey from 2005, arrive at same time, sit in same seat, chat to dog, and away we go when father, sweating ten minutes before the game, finally seats down.

Boom. From the first minute, Cavan pressured, out ran, skilled and blew Donegal out of the Armagh pitch. Yes Barry Cassidy made mistakes, but Cavan fought harder. Nobody was going to stop Mickey's boys. Destroyed Donegal. This was no fluke. The emotions. The feeling. 23 years. My Dad walked around with a smile not seen in years. Ulster Champions!

Breifne2020 (Cavan) - Posts: 2 - 27/11/2020 21:18:04    2316042

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1485 - 28/11/2020 10:46:55    2316117

If we can play with same intensity as last Saturday a tidy up a bit on our finishing and composure when on the ball then i will be more than happy. Once we put in a performance the result will take care of itself.

kildare blue (Cavan) - Posts: 578 - 29/11/2020 10:04:02    2316386

Wish Cavan the best of luck and I just hope the Ref does not do what they all do -give the 50/50 decisions to the team that is expected to win. The Dubs are very good side but like all teams they do not like to be put under pressure , or their keeper being put under pressure with their kick outs. Great display the last day out-keep it up.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 29/11/2020 18:35:23    2316575

Thanks to the Cavan team and management for lifting our hearts, heads and minds in this bleakest of years!
Good luck against the Dubs, you are writing your own history! Enjoy yourselves, you are inspiring a generation!

fifty (Mayo) - Posts: 108 - 29/11/2020 21:00:59    2316664

https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/314510

Ciaran Brannighan got Conor Madden a black card in the Ulster final. His call to barry cassidy got him off.
Not a good sign

flukey (Cavan) - Posts: 30 - 30/11/2020 12:56:49    2316895

as a proud Donegal man living in exile in leitrim I would like to wish Cavan the best of luck v the dubs this weekend and hope they doe themselves, their county and the province proud. I and many others will be cheering you on.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 994 - 30/11/2020 14:01:04    2316930

Good luck on Saturday. Gave it your all. Great to get a game against Dublin. Just a pity that your fabulous fans can't get to it. Would love to have been there for a great game and atmosphere

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2563 - 30/11/2020 15:51:26    2317001

ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 239 - 30/11/2020 18:53:39    2317098

Ádh mór Dé Sathairn folks, I and many others will be cheering you on.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 30/11/2020 19:41:51    2317121

not so sure about that rte stated that brannigan informed cassidy about the foul but called it a push this was heard on his microphone which is a yellow card but cassidy issued a black card.

breffnibluewhite (Cavan) - Posts: 479 - 30/11/2020 19:58:49    2317131

Actually looking forward to sat eve and it's a while since a cavan performance had me looking forward to the next game, especially a game that they are almost certain to get well beaten in. But I really don't care about the result. If cavan play with the same intensity, desire and effort as they did in the ulster final they will have no reason to feel anything other than elated, regardless of the result. They have already done themselves and the county a world of good. Great to be able to say that we have players nailed on for Ulster player of the year and for all stars if they go ahead for this year.

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1720 - 30/11/2020 23:25:39    2317193

dubarra (Wicklow) - Posts: 541 - 01/12/2020 07:39:36    2317222

Saying the roasry for ye guys and also for the winners of Mayo Tipp.
Sadly none of the other 3 teams left are with 10 points of the dublin machine.

club51 (Mayo) - Posts: 395 - 01/12/2020 10:55:40    2317254

Surprised this topic isn't hopping, maybe its a bit early, maybe some (like myself) are savouring the Ulster final win for as long as we can, maybe there isn't enough genuine belief that we can in fact beat Dublin.

So here goes. .a list of reasons why we CAN beat Dublin on Saturday:

1. We are Ulster Champions.
People have been saying for weeks that Donegal could be the team to finally beat Dublin. Well they're out. Because we beat them. In fact, we beat them even more comprehensively than the final scoreline suggests. So why shouldn't we feel that we're the ones who'll beat Dublin!?

2. Our midfield.
Meath pushed up on Dublin's kickouts. . .and got torn asunder. Because they allowed Con O'Callaghan to fetch ball unmarked in the centre of the pitch. Once Menton and Jones were pulled out of position, Cluxton had acres of space to pick out Con. We won't make the same mistake. Gearoid had dropped into that space for kickouts over the 4 games and can do so again (we'll need someone else to push up on John Small in that instance).

3. The high ball.
See Conor Madden's goal v Donegal.
Now see the Tyrone penalty in the 2018 final, the Kerry penalty in the 2019 drawn final, Comer's goal in 2018, Geaney's goal in 2016, McFadden's goal in 2014, Down's goal in the league in 2016. The list goes on.
The Dublin full back line and keeper can be got at under the high ball. And our delivery of ball last Sunday into the full forward line was top drawer. We'll need goals and we have a route to goal here.

4. Management.
It's hard to point out a huge amount that Dessie Farrell has done wrong with this Dublin team. But it's also hard to say he's done a massive amount right. They didn't make the league final and they weren't tested in Leinster. If it comes down to the wire this Saturday, I'll be much happier that we've got Mickey Graham on the line. He's pulled an army of rabbits out of the hat so far.

5. Pressure.
We have nothing to lose. Nothing. This season is the most successful season Cavan have had in 23 years, regardless of what happens on Saturday. It should let our lads play with an element of abandon, but also with a freedom to express themselves (which, crazily, they still managed to do on Sunday last).


I was going to add discipline to this list. The black cards were harsh the last day but maybe would've served as a reminder to be on our best behaviour. Add into the mix that Small and Cooper in particular are notoriously hot-headed and I'd have given us the upper hand there. Branagan probably evens that up because I don't think he'll make the big call against Dublin when the time comes.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 01/12/2020 13:37:41    2317306

indaknownow (Offaly) - Posts: 112 - 01/12/2020 14:41:00    2317325

Regarding the Ref, he will know Cavan were shafted in the Ulster final and I would be surprised if he didnt, even sub consciously, give Cavan a few decisions this weekend. He is a Down man, what would he have against Cavan. The only problem might be has notions of getting the AI final and going against the Dubs might do him harm as they seem to run the GAA these days.

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1485 - 01/12/2020 15:05:49    2317330

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 01/12/2020 15:21:32    2317340

[email protected] (Cavan) - Posts: 138 - 01/12/2020 16:31:54    2317365

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 01/12/2020 17:33:20    2317390