By Alan O’Mara
It’s over a month now since our u21 campaign came to a disappointing end in Croke Park against Galway on a scoreline of 2-16 to 1-09.
However, not many of us have had much time to reflect on that nightmare ending to what was otherwise a fairytale year together. In the immediate aftermath of the game against Galway it’s hard to express the collective disappointment the group felt.
Naturally, we felt we didn’t do ourselves justice on the day and the likes of myself, Gearoid McKiernan, Oisin Minnagh, Niall McDermott and Niall Murray will never get a chance to put that right at underage level with Cavan.
Life as they say though goes on and there literally was no time for us to wallow in self-pity as the majority of the squad had to pick themselves up and prepare for college exams.
I think Val Andrews and Terry Hyland recognised the fact that most of us had given so much to Cavan football in the run-up to that All-Ireland final. Much to their credit, the week or two after that game we were given the opportunity to recharge the batteries and focus our attentions on matters that had been somewhat neglected in previous weeks.
Throughout the whole NFL campaign Terry and Val were terrific with the u21’s, using us sparingly. That’s a massive call for any new management team to make as very often instant results are expected but Val along with Terry recognised the fact that we had a fantastic opportunity to achieve something at u21 level and give the entire county a boost.
Even when things weren’t going well in the league they stuck by the arrangement – a decision which took huge courage when the pressure was mounting towards the end as the threat of relegation loomed.
That U21 campaign which saw us secure a first Ulster title for the county since 1997 is over now and many of us have concluded our chapter of underage football. However, that feeling of euphoria we experienced together when the final whistle blew in Brewster Park, Eniskillen on April 13 is one we are determined to make happen again and it will drive the core of the group on again to the next level.
The fact is, when growing up, every child in Cavan dreams of playing senior football for the county and we are lucky enough to be at that point now – with ten of the u21 team called into the senior panel. Ultimately, the minor and u21 age groups are stepping stones towards that and it’s important not be happy with just one Ulster medal for the rest of our careers.
For years people in this county have talked about that ‘talented minor team’ or that ‘great u21 team’ but the difference this time around is we went and won something and that can only benefit the senior team in years to come.
Talent has never been a problem in Cavan but nobody can deny a winning mentality has been lacking in recent years. You would hope that is starting to change though as between the Cavan Minor, U21 and Junior teams this year they have won seven out of eight championship matches thus far. Hopefully some of this year’s u21’s can bring that positivity, fearlessness and energy to reinvigorate others in the senior camp who have had, in all honestly, a few tough years together.
It’s a symbiotic relationship and there can be no ‘them and us’ mentality because we are all senior footballers now and want the same thing – for Cavan to succeed. As much as we can bring that audacity of youth and optimism into the group, we look to those who have already been on the senior circuit for their experience and guidance.
I’d be lying if I said I feel completely at home in the senior dressing room already. It’s a bit like that feeling you get if you are a kid starting in a new school and as much as people try to aid your bedding in it just takes time to feel like you are truly one of the lads. I’ve played with half the championship squad at underage level and I think in time we can definitely form a close-knit squad together and improve.
This Sunday will be a very difficult game and there is no doubt we will be massive underdogs. Not too many pundits spoke positively of Donegal after their preliminary round victory over Antrim but at the end of the day they got what was required in championship football and that was a win.
It’s unlikely many of this year’s u21’s will start this weekend but it is important that we are there sampling the atmosphere and getting used to the increased intensity because there is no doubt that there is a huge step-up to senior championship football.
In the past two years we have played a Donegal side led by Jim McGuiness at u21 level so we have a fair idea of how he likes to set his teams up at this stage. We will simply just have to match their work-rate and be smart in possession when going forward if we are going to break them down. We showed earlier on in the year that this system can be beaten if you are willing to do those things.
Our u21 adventure proved there are thousands of supporters out there in Cavan and there would be no better sight than that blue army invading Breffni Park this weekend to cheer the team on. A little belief goes a long way.
