Hurling & Camogie

Cavan hurlers ready to return to fray in Lory Meagher Cup after six-year absence

Former Antrim manager Dinny Cahill has been involved with the Cavan hurlers as they prepare to return to competitive action
Former Antrim manager Dinny Cahill has been involved with the Cavan hurlers as they prepare to return to competitive action Former Antrim manager Dinny Cahill has been involved with the Cavan hurlers as they prepare to return to competitive action

SIX years after becoming the only county in Ireland without a senior hurling team, Cavan finally return to the fray this weekend.

Despite not taking part in the National League, the Breffnimen will compete in the Lory Meagher Cup, opening against Warwickshire at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday.

They were granted permission to return to the Championship’s fourth-tier towards the end of last year, where they will also face will also face Leitrim, Sligo, Lancashire and Fermanagh.

Since Christmas a panel of around 20 players have been putting their shoulder to the wheel, training every Wednesday and Saturday.

Stalwart Seamus Hughes is one of the main driving forces behind the return of the Cavan hurlers, with former Antrim manager Dinny Cahill also lending a helping hand.

The Tipperary native is one of the most well-travelled figures in hurling, having been involved with clubs and counties up and down the country, and his knowledge and expertise is a huge asset for the Breffnimen.

Cahill also knows plenty about Warwickshire’s danger man going into Saturday’s game.

Ex-Antrim forward Liam Watson, a 2012 All-Ireland club champion with Loughgiel, was in top form during the League as Warwickshire secured promotion from Division 3B.

During Cahill’s second stint in charge of the Saffrons, Watson landed an Allstar nominee after some scintillating performances in the Championship, most notably in Antrim’s quarter-final exit against Cork when he scored six points from play.

As well as Cahill, Cavan has also called upon guest coaches at times, with Martin Fogarty – once Brian Cody’s right hand man in Kilkenny – taking a couple of sessions earlier in the year as the Breffni Blues find their feet.

Their last competitive game was a 5-32 to 1-3 defeat at the hands of South Down on March 27 2011, and it was one of five heavy reversals during the National League.

Finishing rock bottom of Division Four with a scoring difference of -157, it was decided that the Cavan senior team would be disbanded a month later before the start of that year’s Lory Meagher.