Sean Cole was disappointed to see Mattie Kerrigan's tenure with the Breffni Boys come to an end in 2003. The former Cavan and Ramor Utd stalwart believes the Meath man could have plotted Cavan's path to glory, given time. John Loughran reports. Cavan supporters the length and breadth of the county are yearning for the heady days of 1997, when Cavan lifted the Ulster Senior Football title. There is a latent talent within the county. It is just a question of finding a Messiah to lead the team to the promised land. Managers have come and gone since the dizzy heights of 1997, when the Breffni Boys captured Ulster before going under to Kerry in that year's All-Ireland semi-final. Liam Austin, Val Andrews and most recently Mattie Kerrigan took on the poison chalice that has now become Cavan football. Of the three only Andrews made a significant impact. His charges gained promotion to division one of the league and reached the Ulster final in 2001, but found Tyrone too hot to handle. Sean, who represented Cavan with distinction between 1978 and 1986, contends that the departure of Martin McHugh left a huge void in the Cavan set-up. "Martin McHugh was always going to be a hard act to follow. He got the very best out of his team, many of whom were coming to the end of their careers." The affable businessman fully understands the desire within the county for success, but believes chopping and changing managers isn't the right way to proceed. "Peter Reilly has played under five different managers since he started playing for Cavan in 1996. I believe the manager has to be given time to develop his team." In that respect Sean cites the example of neighbours Meath who have lifted four All-Ireland titles under the guidance of supremo Sean Boylan. He commented: "Sean Boylan has been with Meath since 1982. They didn't win anything until '84 when they won the Centenary Cup. They won the Leinster in 1986 and the All-Ireland the following year. The county board stuck with him and he has repaid that loyalty over the years." Sean believes Boylan's fellow county man Mattie Kerrigan could have worked the oracle for the Breffni County with time and a little slice of luck. "Cavan had a lot of injuries to key players in 2003. I thought Mattie Kerrigan was the ideal man for the job. I don't think he was given a fair chance. With more time Kerrigan could have done a very good job for Cavan." Equally, Sean believes Kerrigan's predecessor Val Andrews had ideal credentials for the job. "Val Andrews got them promoted to division one of the league and brought them to an Ulster final, but he didn't get the full backing of the clubs and decided to quit." However, time waits for no man and Kerrigan's successor Eamon Coleman has taken over the helm. Sean holds the former Gowna and Derry manager in high esteem. "He had a good track record with Derry and he won four or five senior championships with Gowna, but it is hard to know how he will do this year. The most important thing though is to give him time to build and mould a team." While Cavan is blessed with some exceptionally skilful footballers, Sean believes they haven't got the physical presence required to make a serious impact. "We are lacking a few big powerful players, which the likes of Tyrone and Armagh have in abundance," he noted." Sean believes that Cavan and indeed many inter-county teams should take a leaf out of Tyrone's book in terms of team preparation. "There was a physical presence about Tyrone that was lacking in previous years even though they had the same panel of players. That is all down to the way the team was prepared in terms of diet and training," he commented. The fact that Coleman has an extensive working knowledge of the club scene in Cavan should stand him in good stead, according to Sean. "He'll know practically all of the senior players in Cavan from his time with Gowna, so he will have a good insight in that respect," Sean contended. Closer to home Sean is also hoping Ramor United can make a significant breakthrough in the next year or two. "The club is going through a transition period at the moment. Most of the lads on the team are all in their early 20s, so I would be hoping they can make an impact in the next year or two," he opined. Sean collected a Cavan Senior Football Championship winners medal with the club in 1985 and was also on the last Ramor Utd team to win the blue riband event in 1992. He is hoping the new management team of Leo McEnroe (Sean's brother-in-law) and Martin Lynch can come up with a winning formula. He suggested: "They could be in with a shout this year. If the lads put in the required effort, they could be there or thereabouts. I am sure Leo and Martin will get the best out of them." Sean finally hung up his boots in 1999 after giving 25-years service to the club. However, his sons Shane (under 21 and senior) and Adrian (under 14) are carrying on the proud family tradition. His nephews John and James also lines with the under 14s, while his brother Ray still lines out at fullback on the senior team. Indeed, the Cole clan were prominent in the club's under 14 championship victory in 2003. "There is plenty of young talent coming through from the underage set, which bodes well for the future of the club. In a few years time that under 14 time will be fighting for places on the senior team," he remarked. Even though Sean's football career has now come to an end, he is anxious to pass on his considerable knowledge of the game. To that end he was selected to help out with the under 16 team this year. "Sean Lynch is the manager and I'll be in the background giving him a hand. I am looking forward to it," he chuckled. Off the field the club developed an all-weather running track in 2003 and has plans in the pipeline to develop another all-weather pitch and expand its dressing room facilities. "Fundraising is underway for the all-weather pitch and the development of the dressing rooms. There is certainly a lot happening off the field," Sean concluded. ************** Sean Cole is a partner in Cole International Logistics and Warehousing, based at Maghera, Virginia, Co Cavan. His brothers Ray, James and Eamonn complete the management team. The company specialises in warehousing, logistics and dry freight / refrigerated distribution for a host of well-known companies in numerous industry sectors. Employing a staff of 55, the company's extensive fleet of trucks and trailers can been seen across the UK, mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Tweet

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