CAVAN full-forward Eugene Keating says promotion remains a possibility for the Breffnimen despite Sunday’s two-point loss to Tyrone at Healy Park.
On a day for hardy souls Cavan gave as good as they got in most facets of the game apart from their finishing and as a result they ended up with nothing to show for all their efforts in Omagh.
But Keating, who plays his club football for St Sylvester’s in Malahide, says Cavan’s ambition remains focussed on a return to top flight football from the first time in almost 20 years.
“It’s a setback today,” he said after Sunday’s 0-8 to 0-10 loss.
“But there’s still a good few games left. It’s only the start of the League and we’ll regroup and get our heads right for Derry next Saturday.”
There were some excellent individual performances from players in blue jerseys on Sunday: Cian Mackey’s workrate was remarkable while Martin Reilly, Killian Clarke and Gearoid McKiernan also impressed.
“We came here with the belief that we were good enough to get something out of it but a few things went against us,” said Keating.
“I think we lost it more than they beat us to be honest but they’d probably say something different.
“We lost but we have to take the positives out of it – we have Derry next and we have to get ready for that one.”
Tyrone are favourites to win promotion this season but Cavan now have four home games out of their next six in which to put together a promotion challenge.
“The big positive is our mental strength,” said Keating.
“I don’t think any of us feared Tyrone, yeah they’re a good team but we believe we have as much work done as them and mentally we think we’re as strong as them.
“I thought our gameplan was executed nearly 90 per cent of the way but we made a few mistakes and gave away a few handy frees as well. All-in-all we have to take the positives out of it and say we worked hard.”
Keating missed last season due to work commitments and his return alongside forward Seanie Johnston and midfielder David Givney has added an extra layer of quality and depth to Terry Hyland’s squad.
He scored a superb free from near the left corner flag on Sunday but that point was indicative of Cavan’s display – several of their seven points came from brilliant finishes while bread-and-butter scoring opportunities were hard to come by.
Keating himself was guilty of missing some of presentable second half chances and admits he still has work to do.
“A few lads coming back is going to strengthen the team,” he said.
“I have a bit more work to do myself and I’m sure the rest of the boys have too but hopefully we start gelling together and we’re able to click sooner rather than later.
“I missed it last year and it’s good to get back out there in the thick of it again and trying to get Cavan up to Division One is the first priority.”
