Slaughtneil challenge as much cerebral as physical canavan

Kevin Carney

Cavan Gaels boss Peter Canavan says becoming the first Cavan side to annex the Ulster club SFC title is not even on his team’s radar ahead of this Sunday’s clash with surprise Derry champions Slaughtneil.
Although talk of a historic breakthrough for the long-time county kingpins has been doing the rounds locally on the back of shock results in the competition last weekend, Canavan is having none of it:
“Any day a team goes out thinking about the next day, that’s the day they’ll be caught out, no matter how hot a favourites they might be,” the Tyrone legend told The Anglo-Celt.
“We set out our stall at the start of the year to win the county title and when the championship came around, we just took one game at a time and it’s the same for the provincial championship ‘cause it has to be that way.
“You can’t take your eye off the ball at this level, and nor can you disrespect your opponent.
“We don’t plan to do either as regards this Sunday or thereafter if we’re still in the competition.
“The results from last weekend will have no bearing on what happens in Owenbeg. We’re not looking beyond Slaughtneil.”
Canavan has conceded that he may not have a full hand to deal with as he prepares to take his side to Owenbeg on Sunday (2.30pm) for the quarter-final tilt.
Doubts over the fitness of “four or five” players currently exist, the most significant of those being Micheal Lyng who picked up an injury in the county town’s recent league clash with Ballinagh.
In addition, two of the team’s under 21s also entered the sick bay after getting injured last Friday; something which has particularly irked the ‘erstwhile Fermanagh senior manager.
“We could have done without having to play that under 21 game in the week that’s in it. We have six under 21s in the squad and we’ll be looking for a big improvement in the health of a couple of them in the next few days if they are to be fit for action against Slaughtneil.
“I think fixing an under 21 game for us this week tells us something about Cavan County Board’s priorities. We just have to get on with it though, put it to the side and prepare the players we have available to us as best we can and hope that they perform to their highest level on the day.”
The Gaels’ supremo acknowledges that things have improved on the injury front as the current season has progressed.
He is pleased that injuries to marquee players such as Seanie Johnston, Martin Dunne and Paul O’Connor have all but cleared up.
Canavan is convinced that he’ll need all his top players and their lieutenants to be at the top of their game if they are to make the semi-finals:
“We’re under no illusions as to the job we have ahead of us. Slaughtneil put out (1-8 to 0-9) the defending (Ulster) champions in Ballinderry in the county final with a very controlled and methodical performance.
“They’re a very physical and strong running outfit with a number of six foot plus players and I’m sure they’ll be out to use their physique to their advantage and I know Mickey Moran (Slaughtneil manager) will have his lads well prepared ‘cause I worked with him with the International Rules squad and know what success he has achieved as a manager in Tyrone.”
Can the Gaels augment their satin skills with a steely resolve this Sunday if it’s a really physical affair?
“If it boils down to being a war of attrition, then our fellas won’t be found wanting.
“We’re not the biggest team around but we’ve met some physical challenges head on in the Cavan championship and came out the right side.
“If a fella is just 5’11”, I can’t make him six foot plus in the next few days so we’ll concentrate on playing to our strengths, moving the ball fast and using the ball well.
“This is an opportunity for all the players to continue the progress we’ve made this year so far.”
The Errigal Chiaran clubman believes his charges will have to hit the high notes this Sunday to advance to the last four.
He acknowledges that the county town side has only shown their best form intermittently this year.
“We’ve only played at our best in patches in matches so we’re looking for more consistency and looking for lads to play at a high level for more sustained periods. At this level, you have to be at your best, make the right decisions quickly when you’re on the ball.
“Hopefully we can do a lot of things right on Sunday. I know the hunger is there among the players and with a bit of luck they can extend the season but it’ll be very tough.”