THE team that wants victory most will come out on top in Sunday’s Ulster Championship opener in Donegal says Cavan manager Mattie McGleenan.
Breffni boss McGleenan claims no-one gives his side a “pup’s chance” in the provincial opener as Cavan begin the search for their first Ulster title since 1997 with team captain Dara McVeety and experienced forward Seanie Johnston both rated doubtful.
Martin Reilly will be fit however and McGleenan has called on his players to produce “the game of their lives” in the Ballybofey clash.
“This Cavan team has to accept responsibility,” he said.
“I’m demanding more of the players, I’m demanding that the players step up and have a huge performance.
“Nobody gives Cavan a pup’s chance but this Cavan team is on the up, we’re making progress and to make progress you have to produce a big performance and we’re under no illusion what that’s going to take on Sunday.”
Statistically, Cavan are up against it. Donegal have gone 20 Championship games without defeat at MacCumhaill Park, while the Breffnimen haven’t won away from home in Ulster since they beat Fermanagh at Brewster Park in 2013.
“We have put some shift into this season and we’re not going up there thinking Donegal are 10 points better than us,” said McGleenan, referring to Cavan’s successful Division Two campaign.
“It’s about our performance, it’s about how we approach the game. Ulster football is a case of will. The skill will be important, but the ‘will’ is far more important. The team that wants it enough will be the winner.
“We know the talent of Michael Murphy, the McHughs, the McBreartys… We know their capabilities but we have nothing to lose, all the expectation is on Donegal to win. The pressure is on them to deliver a performance and beat us comfortably.”
After a successful stint in club management with Monaghan’s Scotstown, McGleenan succeeded Terry Hyland as Cavan manager at the start of the 2017 season. He followed relegation in his first season with promotion in his second and his next objective is a first Ulster Championship victory.
“I see a group of players who want to win and what we have to do is to learn how to win when the game is in the melting pot,” said the former Tyrone star.
“Can we get ourselves into that position next Sunday? Can we take the opportunity when it presents itself? The county board, the supporters and the players want to make the push – I can see it in them. There is a drive on but Donegal will give us nothing.
“You earn your right to it and on Sunday Cavan have to earn the right to say they belong at the top table. If you want to say you’re in the top 10 in Ireland then you have to go to Ballybofey and have a huge performance. Full stop.
“Otherwise you go back into that mix of going back to the drawingboard again, correcting the problems and trying to address them.
“Championship football is a mental game now because all the teams are going to be at the same fitness level and skill level.”
