Messages

I dont know how Mackey stayed on for so long, he was the poorest performer in my opinion .. cost us at least 3 points and the point from the throw in at the start of the second half was unforgivable considering they got a carbon copy from the throw in at the beginning of the game.
Heres the potential teams we can draw, not as bad as last year!

1.       Offaly

2.       Carlow

3.       Longford (assuming they lose to Dublin)             

4.       Cavan

5.       Fermanagh/Antrim

6.       Kildare/Laois

7.       Waterford/Tipperary

8.       London

The 2 goals came from high balls that Argue got his fist to. I wouldnt read into the result at all, it was a 2nd team from Meath. However, Martin Dunne was very poor and I cant see how he'll start against Monaghan, Jack was very good and if its between those two for a position then its a no contest in my opinion. The best performer was Niall Murray at half back: showed great hunger, support play and lot of pace which I hadnt noticed before. Ronan Flanagan played in the forwards which was strange as I dont think he'll be there in 2 weeks time and Fergal Flanagan corner back after playing most of this year half back. There was no game time for McVeety either this week or last week, is he injured? Killian Clarke came off injured in the first half.

Anyone hear that Keating has left the panel? There are rumours around that he has.

I was just wondering does anyone know who the referee was at the Killeshandra v Redhills game on Friday night? I dont think the person who was listed actually reffed the game. I know we all complain about how bad the referees are from time to time but mostly you can fault their attitude or willingness but the guy on Friday brought the standard in my opinion to a whole new low level. It was very plain from the beginning that he did not want to be there, he was never up with play the entire game and ive never seen such laziness from a ref before and due to this he made some absolutely awful decisions for both teams!! In relation to the game itself Killeshandra were much the better team even though they played with 14 men for 3/4 of the game (a straight red that no one seemed to know why ) and were deserving winners. Redhills 3 county players were very poor and McKiernan from Killeshandra dominated midfield.

Interesting to see ye giving out about the ref so much when ye won but from a Cavan point of view we thought he gave us practically nothing either and was very much biased towards Tyrone so I suppose all in all we'll just agree he's not a county standard referee! I thought the goal and point in injury time really deflated us, we should've been 3 or 4 up and half time. We really struggled in the second half against the wind and when Brady got sent off, there was no way back. Still it was a good test for us and shows where we are in development.

Anyone have the Pat's lineup?

Was it Queens who pulled out last year leaving us with 2 games (no chance of best runner up) and now this year the game tomorrow night has been cancelled, lucky we had won our first 2 games so qualifying for the semi and getting a third game. Also, its unfair to people who have purchased season tickets for this competition.

Looks like the second year in a row where Cavan have been shafted in relation to games in the McKenna cup. If this continues where colleges pull out surely there's a case to remove them from the competition altogether? Also, colleges having first option on county players, there's little point in that if they don't fulfill their fixtures. It gives more substance to Mickey Harte saying his players should play with the county team.

Antrim were missing a few but still had an experienced team named. Cavan were always in control especially after getting the goal so early. It was really windy and cold up there and Cavan handled the conditions much better. Best for Cavan were Mooney he's strong on the ball, good work rate and can break the tackle, Clarke who mopped up a lot of balls and read the game very well and Martin Reilly who was on the ball a lot especially in the first half. Givney made a difference too in the second half when brought out to midfield as the Antrim lads were beginning to win a few balls there. Im not sure on Niall Smith half back, he seemed lost for large parts and it wasn't until late in the second half that he started to make runs up the field, maybe with more experience and confidence in that position he can get better.

Very good performance by the U21s on Saturday who were missing a few key players but were still much superior to Offaly in all positions. Madden full forward was really impressive, I think he'll be a big player for the team this year.

Good performance by Killeshandra yesterday, its probably as good a performance they've had this year. McKiernan again very good, his frees were excellent including another from the sideline similar to the intermediate final. There will be much tougher tests ahead though. I think its crazy that teams have to play semi finals and finals in the league, the top 2 are promoted, that should be it. These games are a waste especially for teams 3rd and 4th who cant get promoted anyway!
If Killeshandra were to make it to an Ulster final and a league final that's 5 games still left to play this side of Christmas!!

Hard luck to Kill, they weren't just good enough yesterday.

Whatever about Cullivan, Gaynor is a clown that shouldn't even get a game with Ballinagh never mind the county!

I think Cullivan has had enough chances. I dont think he would be any addition in the squad and is attitude is certainly in question.

Conor Smith has been quite consistent this year but Id also wonder on his commitment. He got a bit of a roasting against young Clerkin in the first half of the intermediate final but was better in the second half when moved off him.

Yep he's 29 but as you say no harm giving him a run in the McKenna cup. Agree Reilly has plenty of ability but I doubt his work rate, hes good going forward but doesnt do the defensive work, even when playing in midfield.

I would have to agree with Myles in that Shercock panicked near the end with those 3 goal chances, if they had have taken points instead I dont think Killeshandra would have come back. Joe Masterson made a great save for one of those chances, I wonder will he get a call in for the U21s next year? Also, I think man of the match Colm Duffy deserves a trial at least with the county, hes been very consistent this year. The corner forward Clerkin was very good, he gave Conor Smith a roasting and had to be taken off him. Was he on the county minor panel this year? I think hes only 18.