Football

Anthony Forde - Defeating Tyrone a big ask for Cavan

Anthony Forde, pictured, believes the return of such important figures as Eugene Keating, Seanie Johnston and David Givney will be a huge boost to Cavan
Anthony Forde, pictured, believes the return of such important figures as Eugene Keating, Seanie Johnston and David Givney will be a huge boost to Cavan Anthony Forde, pictured, believes the return of such important figures as Eugene Keating, Seanie Johnston and David Givney will be a huge boost to Cavan

TERRY Hyland takes his Cavan side into an NFL battle with Tyrone on Sunday which his former lieutenant, Anthony Forde has described as "a big ask" for the Breffni Blues.

"It’s up in Tyrone and they’re coming off another victorious McKenna Cup campaign," said Forde, who stepped away during the summer after three years alongside Hyland as assistant manager.

"And they’ve had the luxury of being able to rest the likes of Petey Harte and Sean Cavanagh in that game who are big players for them.

“So they’re coming in fresh and chomping at the bit and on the back of the relative success that they had last year in the sense of getting to the final four of the championship.

"So it doesn’t get any tougher than that."

Cavan reached the semi-finals of the Dr McKenna Cup where they were beaten by Derry and have been boosted by the return to their ranks of such important figures as Eugene Keating, Seanie Johnston and David Givney. 

Forde said that Cavan "no more than a lot of counties in a similar position, want all their best players."

"They are top, top players," he insisted.

"They are a big addition. Whether it might have come a little bit too soon perhaps for Eugene and Seanie at this stage we don’t know.

"But that being said, they still add a lot of quality and will improve training no end.

"So from that perspective, it’s good. I think overall they would be happy with the McKenna Cup. They were able to put in a good few new lads who have impressed."

In that category, Forde mentioned the likes of Enda Henry, Barry Doyle and Padraig Faulkner and he feels the Cavan management will have learnt a lot from seeing such players in competitive action. 

“I suppose it’s all down to Sunday and to see how those boys cope but lookit they’re not going to be given much of a chance by any of the pundits or the so-called experts out there so it’s a good way to be going in, ” added Forde.

Division Two of the NFL league contains five Ulster teams this year. In addition to their opponents on Sunday, Cavan will also meet their McKenna cup conquerors, Derry as well as Armagh and Fermanagh. 

This will undoubtedly add competitive spice to the various clashes over the course of the next few months.

Forde is certain that there will be no quarter asked or given among the provincial neighbours.

"It’s going to be bruising," declared Forde.

"You saw last weekend. Derry and Tyrone have played three times already this year.

"So it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be very tactical and all teams are going relatively well.

"But nothing is going to come any harder than that opener for Cavan on Sunday."

Cavan have been lauded for their spectacular four-in-a-row of Ulster U21 wins from 2011-2014 in addition to a provincial minor triumph in 2011.

Asked if it was now time that that began to bear fruit at senior level, the Cavan Gaels man said "there was no guarantee for success."

"There’s a platform there from U21 and one minor success but even at that, it’s no guarantee of anything in this life," he said.

"The boys will be looking to push on in Division Two. Last year we were within a kick of a ball of getting promotion and that would have been a big boost going into the championship as well.

"I think with the competitiveness of Division Two and the teams like Armagh and Fermanagh that have come up from Division Three who will be full of confidence - it's going to be difficult.

"And there’s no less pressure from a number of years ago when we weren’t winning anything at underage level to what it is now.

"I wouldn’t see it as a make or break season by any manner of means. Of course you would like some improvement. That’s what you’re looking for.

"What that looks like is another thing but these boys have matured. They are getting better.

"You mention Dara McVeety. He’s had his first full season at senior inter-county and was one of Cavan’s most outstanding players last year, so he’s really matured.

"Gearoid McKiernan’s a year older. Martin Reilly is a year older and Fergal Flanagan. So all of these lads getting to their peak is what you’re looking at.

"So if we can get all the lads fit, healthy, all on the one page and bouncing well, then who knows where it could take us but certainly for Sunday it still doesn’t get away from the fact that it’s a big, big ask for them."