Football

Erratic Cavan face another massive task against ropey Mayo

Cian Mackey (left) in action against Tyrone last Sunday Picture: Seamus Loughran
Cian Mackey (left) in action against Tyrone last Sunday Picture: Seamus Loughran Cian Mackey (left) in action against Tyrone last Sunday Picture: Seamus Loughran

Allianz National Football League Division One: Mayo v Cavan (tomorrow, McHale Park, 2pm)

EVEN though Cavan played their best 35 minutes of football under his stewardship, new manager Mattie McGleenan found it difficult to raise his spirits after last Sunday’s seven-point defeat to Tyrone.

McGleenan is one of life’s optimists.

Since deciding to take the Breffni reins, the Tyrone man’s glass has been firmly half full.

Last week, however, was the first time it felt half empty.

Cavan posted an excellent first half against Tyrone but “capitulated” in the second period.

If Cavan could somehow swap last Sunday’s halves around, they might be travelling to Mayo tomorrow afternoon with a bit more hope.

“We were disappointing in the second half against Tyrone – we couldn’t get a foothold around the middle of the field and we ran ourselves into cul de sacs and got turned over,” said Cian Mackey who was introduced at half-time.

“But the first 40 minutes I thought we were very, very good. We put Tyrone to the pin of their collar but we didn’t continue on.

“You might get away with that in Division Two but not in Division One.

“If you don’t play for 70 minutes, that’s what can happen. It’s a learning curve and hopefully it can get better over the next couple of weeks.”

Mackey rejected the notion that Cavan appeared a little leggy in the second period in Healy Park.

After all, they expended a serious amount of energy in the first half, packing their defence and then bursting out at pace on the counter-attack.

And it worked a treat for McGleenan’s charges.

Crucially, they got their shooters on the ball. Marty Reilly hit three sumptuous first half points and Gearoid McKiernan bagged 1-4 (0-2 frees) to really set Cavan on their way.

But facing into a stiff breeze and playing a team of Tyrone’s quality means that a four-point half-time lead is never enough.

The Red Hands pressed higher and Cavan couldn’t get out of their own half.

“If you can’t get a foothold in the game and keep the ball you’re chasing the game,” explained Mackey. “No matter how fit you are, you are going to be chasing shadows.

“And it seemed like that in the second half – we were chasing shadows. All the boys are as fit as anyone. “But when you’re chasing the ball the whole time you’re going to be blowing a bit. Maybe it’s upstairs we need to be a bit cuter.”

Since taking over McGleenan has had to carry out major surgery on his forward line.

Gerard Smith was a precocious talent at U21 and is now getting a good run in the starting XV at senior level.

Niall Clerkin and Paul O’Connor have also been given their chance to shine while Conor Madden was probably the pick of the bunch in last week’s defeat to Tyrone.

But Division One is such an unforgiving place to learn your trade.

“There are three matches to go and we’re looking to get two points out of every match,” said Mackey, probably more in hope than in expectation.

After tomorrow’s Mayo game, they host Kerry and journey to Roscommon on the final day of the League season.

The fact that Mayo and Kerry still aren’t safe from relegation themselves doesn’t bode well for Cavan.

Another two points would probably safeguard Mayo’s top flight status, plus they’ll want to bounce back from their dismal showing against Dublin a fortnight ago.

“Look, we don’t go into games thinking we’re not going to win,” insisted Mackey.

“Our mentality is right to get the wins. If we can extend than 35-40 minutes against Tyrone to 60 minutes we’ve a better chance of coming away with the two points against Mayo.”

The hard reality tomorrow is that it doesn’t matter which Cavan team turns up at McHale Park.

It all depends on which Mayo team turns up.

Mayo have it in their gift to preserve their own Division One status tomorrow and heap more misery on the Breffni men.

Allianz: For further information got o www.allianz.ie