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Cavan Seniors 2026

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I think overall we're in a bad place this season and I don't see us doing much come championship. Hopefully stay in the division and beat the Farney in a month's time and that might be the height of it. Would love to be proved wrong! But... We've had a bad league, taken some confidence-sapping hidings and kick-in-the-guts late defeats. Beat a Kildare team who just didn't seem bothered, then scraped by already-relegated Offaly. The Louth game was sobering - a side we've had the measure of recently and it was men against boys. It feels like we're still playing a style of football from a few years ago pre all the rule changes and haven't adapted to them (bar two-point shooting). We're ponderously handpassing around in attack with lads looking scared to take a shot or make a decision, where a lot of teams kick direct earlier. When we do kick, our main outlet for winning ball is 35-year-old Gearóid McKiernan. Oisín Brady in his post-match interview in the Celt last week talked about us playing zonal defence, whereas the new rules demand more man-to-man marking. As a result we're carved open easily at the back. We're still likely to stay up, but only from Louth beating Kildare as they technically still have promotion to play for. No way we're going to beat Derry in Derry. They've the best scoring difference in all four divisions of the league and have promotion in their sights. Hard not to see us getting cut to ribbons live on TG4 again this year! Hopefully McCabe has something up his sleeve for championship or it's going to be a write-off of a season and there could be a few more veterans stepping away at the end of it. TheBlackDeath (Cavan) - Posts: 88 - 18/03/2026 10:27:37 2661656 Link
Replying To TheBlackDeath: "I think overall we're in a bad place this season and I don't see us doing much come championship. Hopefully stay in the division and beat the Farney in a month's time and that might be the height of it. Would love to be proved wrong! But... We've had a bad league, taken some confidence-sapping hidings and kick-in-the-guts late defeats. Beat a Kildare team who just didn't seem bothered, then scraped by already-relegated Offaly. The Louth game was sobering - a side we've had the measure of recently and it was men against boys. It feels like we're still playing a style of football from a few years ago pre all the rule changes and haven't adapted to them (bar two-point shooting). We're ponderously handpassing around in attack with lads looking scared to take a shot or make a decision, where a lot of teams kick direct earlier. When we do kick, our main outlet for winning ball is 35-year-old Gearóid McKiernan. Oisín Brady in his post-match interview in the Celt last week talked about us playing zonal defence, whereas the new rules demand more man-to-man marking. As a result we're carved open easily at the back. We're still likely to stay up, but only from Louth beating Kildare as they technically still have promotion to play for. No way we're going to beat Derry in Derry. They've the best scoring difference in all four divisions of the league and have promotion in their sights. Hard not to see us getting cut to ribbons live on TG4 again this year! Hopefully McCabe has something up his sleeve for championship or it's going to be a write-off of a season and there could be a few more veterans stepping away at the end of it." Word in Louth is they are happy to stay in Div2 and will play a lot of lads from down the panel against Kildare. Still, Kildare are so poor they will probably not take the opportunity. Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1311 - 18/03/2026 23:28:32 2661754 Link
Replying To TheBlackDeath: "I think overall we're in a bad place this season and I don't see us doing much come championship. Hopefully stay in the division and beat the Farney in a month's time and that might be the height of it. Would love to be proved wrong! But... We've had a bad league, taken some confidence-sapping hidings and kick-in-the-guts late defeats. Beat a Kildare team who just didn't seem bothered, then scraped by already-relegated Offaly. The Louth game was sobering - a side we've had the measure of recently and it was men against boys. It feels like we're still playing a style of football from a few years ago pre all the rule changes and haven't adapted to them (bar two-point shooting). We're ponderously handpassing around in attack with lads looking scared to take a shot or make a decision, where a lot of teams kick direct earlier. When we do kick, our main outlet for winning ball is 35-year-old Gearóid McKiernan. Oisín Brady in his post-match interview in the Celt last week talked about us playing zonal defence, whereas the new rules demand more man-to-man marking. As a result we're carved open easily at the back. We're still likely to stay up, but only from Louth beating Kildare as they technically still have promotion to play for. No way we're going to beat Derry in Derry. They've the best scoring difference in all four divisions of the league and have promotion in their sights. Hard not to see us getting cut to ribbons live on TG4 again this year! Hopefully McCabe has something up his sleeve for championship or it's going to be a write-off of a season and there could be a few more veterans stepping away at the end of it." Is there anybody close to a return - Cian Reilly, Barry Donnelly, Cormac O'Reilly? Will Faulkner make a return? opa01 (Cavan) - Posts: 550 - 19/03/2026 07:50:51 2661761 Link
Replying To Eddie the Exile: "Word in Louth is they are happy to stay in Div2 and will play a lot of lads from down the panel against Kildare. Still, Kildare are so poor they will probably not take the opportunity." I don't know why they would be happy to stay in Division 2. When were they last in Division 1? And Division 2 could be a bigger slog next year full of Ulster teams. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2927 - 19/03/2026 19:24:12 2661856 Link
Replying To FoolsGold: "I don't know why they would be happy to stay in Division 2. When were they last in Division 1? And Division 2 could be a bigger slog next year full of Ulster teams." Eight starters rested by Louth Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1311 - 22/03/2026 13:07:53 2662188 Link
Replying To Eddie the Exile: "Eight starters rested by Louth" I don't think all 8 were rested. Some are out with long term injuries. Lynch done the ACL. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2927 - 22/03/2026 18:30:44 2662299 Link
Typical Cavan. Up and down at Under 20. Go out and beat a strong Tyrone team and then get destroyed by 2-26 to 0-10 to Armagh. Very strange how up and down things are. Hope things can settle. Cavan67 (Cavan) - Posts: 36 - 02/04/2026 16:00:54 2664447 Link
The lack of fight in the loss to Armagh was the most disappointing thing, a big dip in performance compared to the Tyrone game. That said Armagh looked a better side than Tyrone and had a plan for us which they executed well. A bit like our seniors this year we had lots of possession and worked it all through the hands. We weren't able to tread a decent kick pass into the forwards. Build up too slow. Kick outs weren't working either, Armagh much better at breaking ball. Hopefully the lads and management will learn from this defeat and bounce back facer4home (Cavan) - Posts: 164 - 05/04/2026 07:40:01 2664844 Link
It was a poor enough Tyrone team by their standards. All bar 1 score came from the same player. Cavan were a bigger team in size too. Armagh were a much slicker team then a Tyrone. 3 or 3 excellent forwards. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2927 - 05/04/2026 20:04:56 2664914 Link
Anyone know how Cavan are looking as looking to Championship? Have Cavan any players to come back? Game surely will be close. Got to be 50/50 really. Monaghan seemed to have players returning at end of league. The new tactics all to be used. Anyone any team prediction? Cavan67 (Cavan) - Posts: 36 - 12/04/2026 13:24:51 2665873 Link
any truth in the rumour ryan connolly will be in goals breffnibhoy (Cavan) - Posts: 37 - 14/04/2026 11:46:12 2666331 Link
Replying To breffnibhoy: "any truth in the rumour ryan connolly will be in goals" Possible. Liam Brady was poor during the league from kickouts. Connolly would need to be reliable at the basics like shot stopping and catching high balls. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2927 - 14/04/2026 14:11:43 2666372 Link
Thoughts on tomorrow? Think it will be a close game with a last score winning it for Cavan. Can't see team line out as named, Carolan for Clarke Corrigan for Shehu Monaghan bench looks stronger now that they have a few back from injury. Regaa (Cavan) - Posts: 4 - 18/04/2026 15:02:59 2667058 Link
Replying To Regaa: "Thoughts on tomorrow? Think it will be a close game with a last score winning it for Cavan. Can't see team line out as named, Carolan for Clarke Corrigan for Shehu Monaghan bench looks stronger now that they have a few back from injury." Well lads, honestly i think the result will entirely be determined by which Cavan turn up. Monaghan were more than poor in the league and would have struggled to survive Div 2 this year do its not simply a case of them being outclassed in Div1. The Cavan that played Cork, or in the second half v Meath, or indeed that played Derry, will beat anything Monaghan can muster. If its the version v Louth or Tyrone then its game on for Monaghan possibly. Cavan look strong at half back, are solid at full back and have a scoring threat when they get going. Midfield a concern for ye but Evan Crowe is good option. In any case, it is also Monaghans big weak link so you will get away with being mediocre. Key for Monaghan is Lavelle. If he is fully fit (hard to see it) then the team suddenly looks very different. He can slot in at no 3 giving OToole a chance to move into half back. That could free Dessie Ward which would open up a lot more possibilities for Monaghan. As named there are a lot of hexagonal pegs in round holes; that shifts with Lavelle. I think Bannigan will start McCarron and that might be about it as far as changes go. McCarthy will be held as a momentum changer and he is excellent at that. Woods and Garland have promised a lot for Monaghan. If they can deliver it would be massive. All told then, I'm hoping Monaghan surprise me but a 5-7 point Cavan win is good value at about 8/1. Safe travels and we'll have the kettle on for yis. Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1311 - 18/04/2026 19:48:47 2667103 Link
Replying To Eddie the Exile: "Well lads, honestly i think the result will entirely be determined by which Cavan turn up. Monaghan were more than poor in the league and would have struggled to survive Div 2 this year do its not simply a case of them being outclassed in Div1. The Cavan that played Cork, or in the second half v Meath, or indeed that played Derry, will beat anything Monaghan can muster. If its the version v Louth or Tyrone then its game on for Monaghan possibly. Cavan look strong at half back, are solid at full back and have a scoring threat when they get going. Midfield a concern for ye but Evan Crowe is good option. In any case, it is also Monaghans big weak link so you will get away with being mediocre. Key for Monaghan is Lavelle. If he is fully fit (hard to see it) then the team suddenly looks very different. He can slot in at no 3 giving OToole a chance to move into half back. That could free Dessie Ward which would open up a lot more possibilities for Monaghan. As named there are a lot of hexagonal pegs in round holes; that shifts with Lavelle. I think Bannigan will start McCarron and that might be about it as far as changes go. McCarthy will be held as a momentum changer and he is excellent at that. Woods and Garland have promised a lot for Monaghan. If they can deliver it would be massive. All told then, I'm hoping Monaghan surprise me but a 5-7 point Cavan win is good value at about 8/1. Safe travels and we'll have the kettle on for yis." Not a great 5 days for you and the rest of the Cavan lads. ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1002 - 19/04/2026 18:35:39 2667285 Link
Replying To ORIELMAN85: "Not a great 5 days for you and the rest of the Cavan lads." What an immature comment...... HeadButter (Monaghan) - Posts: 329 - 19/04/2026 23:30:02 2667390 Link
Not a post all week and same again after the game. Looks like Tailteann Cup lads. Enjoy the trip down to Waterford and Carlow veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 1013 - 20/04/2026 08:51:38 2667416 Link
Knock knock, anyone home? ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1002 - 20/04/2026 10:44:54 2667447 Link
Replying To veterngaa: "Not a post all week and same again after the game. Looks like Tailteann Cup lads. Enjoy the trip down to Waterford and Carlow" you will nevr get an easier start than you did yesterday and yet it nearly got away from yous playing a mismanaged cavan team. enjoy your mini all ireland small fish. Creilly_Baby (Cavan) - Posts: 50 - 20/04/2026 11:21:05 2667456 Link
Replying To Creilly_Baby: "you will nevr get an easier start than you did yesterday and yet it nearly got away from yous playing a mismanaged cavan team. enjoy your mini all ireland small fish." Or an easier finish - Cavan couldn't muster a score in the last 10 minutes. Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1311 - 21/04/2026 11:34:07 2667686 Link