National League 2019

Two weeks away from the first game. So many new faces tried out so it's hard to predict what the selection will be for the first game. Although from what I've been hearing most of the injury concerns should be back by then. It looks as if Mickey Graham is going to adapt a more attacking approach to the game which we can all rejoice to. But I also think it suits the profile of players on the panel better.

Here's the team I think will be very close to starting on the day.

Ray Galligan

Gunner Brady
Padraig Faulkner
Jason McLoughlin

Gerry Smith
Killian Clarke
Conor Rehill

Michael Argue
Paul Graham

Ciaran Brady
Gearoid McK
Martin Reilly

Caoimhin Reilly
Dara McVeety
Pierce Smith

I know everyone won't agree with that team but in the main apart from 2 or 3 positions I think that's what we will be looking at.

I must say that 1 - 7 excites me. Man markers in our full back line and pure legs and energy in our half back line which is crucial in the modern game. The midfield worries me and the one I have named is particularly immobile unfortunately but with the Mark rule it also has it's advantages. I would be hoping that Gearoid would drop out to support them and the Half back line should make up for the lack of legs. Michael Argue has been impressive in the McKenna cup and would actually suit the Galway game as he is simmilar physically to Tom Flynn. I wonder could we use Gerry Smiths legs at midfield and put Holla back at wing back? I know he is small but our lack of options here worries me.

In the forward unit. McVeety, Gearoid and O'Reilly are guaranteed starters in my eyes if fit. Pierce Smith has the potential to be special and then Holla and Martin Reilly are good foot passers and can drop deep if necessary. Jack Brady could force his way in there aswell.

OnTheBank (Australia) - Posts: 170 - 14/01/2019 17:21:11    2157092

blueman1903 (Cavan) - Posts: 885 - 14/01/2019 19:31:39    2157122

Nothing against the two lads but that midfield would be behind the Galway pair on almost every attribute there. I'd say one of Clarke or GmcK will have to in the middle to give us a chance of breaking even at midfield. I would also prefer James Galligan to both choices. He has the most potential so might as well throw him in early if he's on the panel and fitness is up to the required inter county standard.

Definitely agree with McVeety at FF. Didn't think Gerry Smith was about for a while though.

PatTheDandy (Cavan) - Posts: 356 - 15/01/2019 09:12:19    2157204

Ok, so before the National League begins, a few things:

1. The manager is new, give him a chance, he will need at least 3 years before he can lay down his foundations.
2. We are playing in Division One, against some of the top teams in GAA - please lower your expectations, Cavan
do not have the god given right to beat the top teams, any win is a massive bonus.
3. Its the National League, many teams will be trying out new players, missing players due to the All- Ireland club
championshiptactics etc, if we do manage to win a game, it doesn't mean that we are going to win an All Ireland
Final, so dont get carried away, just enjoy the win.
4. Please stop posting what you think should be the team, there is only one manager, he will pick the team,
because he sees them at training and knows exactly who is in form and who is not.
5. Just because a player has a good game, doesnt make him a top player, he needs to do it week in, week out,
unfortunately for Cavan, we have yet to see any consistency in our players, Clarke, McVeety and McKiernan for
example.
6. Skelling (USA) - book a ticket and get yourself over to a match, that way, you've earned the right to post
comments.
7. Best of luck to Terry the Messiah in Leitrim - maybe he can bring back the international continental cup for
them.
8. Enjoy the football in 2019!!!

cavanblueman (Cavan) - Posts: 636 - 15/01/2019 09:35:03    2157209

westcavankid (Cavan) - Posts: 83 - 15/01/2019 11:34:27    2157248

McVeety and McKiernan not consistent... Jesus wept. A man who obviously doesn't go to games preaching how to enjoy football, mad eh?!

I'd agree with most of the team posted above but Madden deserves his shot.

Also don't think Gearoid will be back for the Galway game. A huge loss but a chance for someone else to put their hand up. Thomas Galligan was class in the first round of the league last year. Would like to see him getting a run of games in the middle of the field.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 15/01/2019 13:14:20    2157289

theham (Cavan) - Posts: 91 - 15/01/2019 13:46:20    2157296

cavanblueman (Cavan) - Posts: 636 - 15/01/2019 14:30:00    2157312

Niall Mc Kiernan surely has to be close at midfield? Gunner corner back???, No.......Madden has to be in the forward line too. i honestly cant see Graham starting, i've seen him a fair bit now and i think hes a good player alright but hes not inter county standard.But there's lots of pace there no doubt, my biggest fear is physicality. I still think cavan are a year or two away from where they need to be at in that department.
but who knows. a win at the start or even a good showing could set them up.

theweanling (Cavan) - Posts: 414 - 15/01/2019 15:27:54    2157336

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 15/01/2019 15:36:04    2157340

Skelling (USA) - Posts: 289 - 15/01/2019 15:47:22    2157345

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1485 - 15/01/2019 16:01:57    2157352

westcavankid (Cavan) - Posts: 83 - 15/01/2019 16:03:41    2157353

Mattie got just over a year as manager relegated to division 2 and brought the team back to division 1 so will the new management be entitled to get three years should Cavan be relegated and not get back to Division one in just over a year????

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4602 - 16/01/2019 17:21:30    2157611

Mattie done himself no favours coming into the job, with his attacking philosophy talk and reverting back to defensive football in a qualifier game against Wicklow.
Plenty of players didn't want to play under him.

He got promoted from a weak Division 2.
Division 2 this yeas alot stronger. Mickey Graham knows the talent that's in the County, which is an advantage over an outside manager.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2950 - 16/01/2019 18:06:50    2157617

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1485 - 16/01/2019 18:56:24    2157626

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4602 - 17/01/2019 00:13:40    2157679

I think Mattie will be remembered for being a bit out of depth and a manager who changed his mind and tactics with the weather. On many occasions he had players on the pitch not knowing what they were supposed to be doing and needed Senior players to run the trainings.

A very nice fellow apparently but unfortunately the above seems to be the summary of his tenure from anyone with an eye or ear inside the panel.

Could be that Mickey might not do any better than Matty did (hopefully not) but he seems to have the skills & character to do the job at least anyway.

The c'ship performances were particularly shambolic and disheartening for fans.

Since the u21's wins,/or since the post Dermot McCabe & 97 team era ended, The c'ship where we lost to Kerry in QF was the only c'ship we can be happy with or proud of, which is poor..

I wouldn't mind the aul league. A c'ship victory in Ulster or the Qualifiers against a real team would be a success and improvement. i.e Monaghan, Donegal, Mayo, Galway and upwards of that. Not Tipperary's, Kildare's, Down's or Armagh's.

PatTheDandy (Cavan) - Posts: 356 - 17/01/2019 11:21:36    2157723

fredflint (Cavan) - Posts: 1485 - 17/01/2019 12:33:06    2157740

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 17/01/2019 12:39:15    2157743