Hello fellow gaa supporters,

I was in Armagh at the u21 final, and speaking to a few of the numerous cavan supporters there, I detected a quiet and cautious optimism about the seniors prospects this year, in ulster. Regardless of the division 3 final result last week I feel that cavan could have won that game, Martin Dunne had an uncharacteristically off day, and think that cavan can do much better. I would expect them to beat Armagh, and if they got a go at monaghan, believe that they would put them out. I would not be so optimistic about prospects against tyrone, i think that they could plough thru ulster if they get beyond monaghan. To summarize,, I think that if cavan got to an ulster final, to play either donegal or derry, they would have an excellent chance. Thoughts?

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 06/05/2014 11:00:54    1584525

Ulster Senior Football Championship 2014 - Outrght Betting
Donegal 3/1, Tyrone 3/1, Derry 3/1, Monaghan 9/2, Cavan 12/1, Armagh 12/1, Down 22/1, Fermanagh 35/1, Antrim 66/1

Well based on those odds the chances of Cavan winning Ulster this year are slim. Down might be worth a bet at 22/1.

Breffniman1 (Cavan) - Posts: 25 - 06/05/2014 12:21:52    1584558

Depends. A few weeks ago I would have said this is our best chance in many years. Then after watching the league final against Roscommon, we're not as strong as I thought. We have a few problem positions, most glaringly in the full forward line. If Keating has an off day we're in big trouble up front. We have looked strong defensively all year until we leaked 1-17 in Croke Park. It's hard to know exactly where we stand because we could easily have won that game had dunne's penalty gone in.

As for the Armagh game, all depends on how Armagh handle Mackey. All depends on how we handle Clarke. Not much between us after that I reckon.

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 06/05/2014 13:27:30    1584591

I think there are 6/7 teams capable of winning Ulster . Breaking that down further I think there are 4 that you would fancy regardless of the draw they are in and the winner should come from one of these - Monaghan , Donegal , Derry and Tyrone (in no particular order) . I'd have Down next then Cavan and Armagh . I don't think we could win from the preliminary round with a draw of say Monaghan , Derry , Tyrone in semi and Donegal final but if the draw is good to us there's no reason why we couldn't win it . If we do beat Armagh I too would fancy meeting Monaghan in the semi as you never know which way these type of games will go . Likewise if Armagh beat us they'd be happy with this draw as well . We'd need a bit of luck at some stage too as I don't think our forwards are consistent enough to rely on for 3 games straight . 12-1 looks like decent odds . I'm a bit surprised Down are so long . If they can win the preliminary round their next two games are virtually a toss of a coin .

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 06/05/2014 13:55:34    1584603

Breffniman1, Monaghan were 16/1 before the ulster championship last year to win it. 3 years ago, Donegal were 11/1 so I am well aware of form and prices, which can go out the window in this competition. Leaking 1 17 in croke park against ross was unusual but I would like to say that they were better than many gave them credit for. I still feel that cavan could be in an ulster final if they avoid tyrone. I am not so sure about monaghan. Although they beat us well in the division 2 final, I have an funny feeling that their season may have peaked. Tyrone will be the team to beat in ulster this year, and failing that, there is no stand out team on current form anyway.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 06/05/2014 17:40:48    1584755

Tyrone can be beaten. They are leaky at the back. I reckon Monaghan could take them normally, HOWEVER, with the injury to McManus, that's Monaghan's chances over. It would be tough with him, impossible without him. Donegal are a shadow of the 2012 side, I wouldn't fear them one bit, dissent among the ranks there too.

The more I think about it, perhaps it doesn't seem so unlikely that we could make an impact. Monaghan's best players is injured for the next 6-8 weeks, and Donegal are having internal issues. If Cavan and Tyrone meet in the semi final, the winner of that game will win Ulster I'd imagine.

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 06/05/2014 18:18:32    1584775

To be Honest, I don't think we will get past Armagh. the introduction of the black card will give Jamie Clarke alot more freedom than he got last year. I think it's the qualifier route for us this year. ulster is a minefield. There wasn't a whole lot between Donegal and Monaghan in the div 2 final, Tyrone and Derry are also close and Down are no sloches either. However I fancy Derry this year.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 06/05/2014 20:25:59    1584813

I can see it been another Cavan /Monaghan Ulster Semi Final,, the other side of the draw would depend on which Derry team shows up they can be very hot and cold,.so ill go with a Cavan /Donegal Ulster Final.

goonie (Cavan) - Posts: 308 - 06/05/2014 21:10:05    1584834

I think Monaghan are the value bet here at 9/2 followed by Down at 22/1 but as regards Cavan I would not put a penny on them.... Armagh are no great shakes but I think we are in for an eyeopener when we head up there....!!!

Sean66 (Cavan) - Posts: 440 - 06/05/2014 21:54:00    1584862

Monaghan are missing McManus for 6/8 weeks, and Kiernan Hughes has broken bones in the hand, from an injury last weekend too. Can't see them getting past Tyrone without those players. Eoin Lennon struggling too.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 07/05/2014 09:45:32    1584889

Yes monaghan have been dealt a hammer blow with injuries, i think that Tyrone could take them to the cleaners to be honest. I was in Armagh for the last game of the league, and they just lay down shortly into the second half. They are not good at all, and they were playing for survival in division 2 that afternoon. I think that you should get beyond them. I would love to see Cavan win ulster. If cavan make the ulster final, that will mean that all 9 counties got to an ulster final in the last 6 years. That is an astonishing statistic and a great add for the competition.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 07/05/2014 10:15:20    1584902

Did Mackey get injured in the Galway game? Heard he did and could be out for a while. Big blow if true.

doratheexplorer (Cavan) - Posts: 1467 - 07/05/2014 10:36:46    1584916

doratheexplorer
County: Cavan
Posts: 315

1584916
Did Mackey get injured in the Galway game? Heard he did and could be out for a while. Big blow if true.

If he is it must be minor for he was going through the motions well last night.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4601 - 07/05/2014 15:14:50    1585054

We lack the firepower to be serious contenders

EatMyFish (Cavan) - Posts: 205 - 07/05/2014 15:47:01    1585076

EatMyFish
County: Cavan
Posts: 194

1585076
We lack the firepower to be serious contenders

If it were the u21s, then I would totally agree. There was a serious lack of ambition to take responsibility to try a score. But the seniors have no difficulty moving the ball into the forwards, and the forwards have no difficulty showing for it. Time will tell. I will resurrect this thread after the armagh game, interesting times.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 07/05/2014 16:40:27    1585103

Think he is in a bit of trouble with the groin and will be lucky to make the Armagh game. Was told he got injection leading up to the league final but obviously didnt work

BootIt (Cavan) - Posts: 136 - 07/05/2014 19:27:01    1585180

Don't know if the black card will necessarily make Clarke much more dangerous, he was fouled a couple of times last year but nothing that would have seen a black card issued.

The Armagh game will be extremely tough, any away game in Ulster is going to be tough and Armagh feel that they 'owe us one' However, the players should bear in mind the disrespect that was shown to Cavan in the wake of our victory. Grimley actually came out and apologised to the Armagh supporters. We were such a non-entity in his mind that to lose to us necessitated an apology. Go out and pile the misery on Grimley and McGeeney and see if he'll apologise this time around.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 07/05/2014 20:24:34    1585196

Probaly apologising because of the ridiculous tactics he went with, playing no sweeper - not because it as Cavanm who beat tyem. Wanted to play like Dublin all out attack, when Armagh don't have that type of player

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 07/05/2014 20:36:09    1585200

Good point Jon Smith. That game last year signalled the start of the resurgence of Cavan senior football. From there we made the last 8. A loss this time around would spell disaster and represent a huge step backwards. Consider we've also swapped place in the league this year. We should be looking to win this one with a few points to spare.

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 07/05/2014 20:49:17    1585203

Ned I don't know if it's fair to say that it would be a massive backward step. We are at a stage where we can expect to be competitive with Armagh and possibly get a win, expecting anything more is an overestimation of us I think. Armagh are at home and they have quality in many positions, they won't give us the space they did last year and they won't be taking us for granted. This is a game we can win but it will be very tough and we will need to be very close to, or at, our best.

Inactive x5 (Cavan) - Posts: 1452 - 07/05/2014 21:06:44    1585211