BREAKING: Trip to the Garden county awaits for Cavan

Paul Fitzpatrick

For the seventh time in 10 years, Cavan have been drawn against Division 4 side in their opening qualifier match after this morning's draw pitted the Breffni men against Wicklow (away).

The Garden County, who lost by 23 points to Dublin yesterday, were the lowest ranked team in the country in the National League and failed to win a match in the basement division, although they did shock Offaly in the Leinster opener.

While Cavan's record in the back door has been poor overall (aside from 2013, when they reached the quarter-finals, and 2005 when they made the last 12), the Blues have benefitted from what on paper looked like kind draws for much of the last decade.

Since 2008, Cavan have been drawn against Division 4 sides on seven occasions - Wicklow (2008, 2009 and 2018), Longford (2011), Fermanagh (2012), London (2015) and Carlow (2016).

In 2014, Cavan were drawn at home against a Westmeath side who were in freefall, having finished bottom of Division 2. Cavan's 1-15 to 1-14 win at Kingspan Breffni was Westmeath's 11th defeat in succession.

In 2012 and 2013, Terry Hyland's side saw off Division 3 Fermanagh while last year, under Mattie McGleenan, Cavan defeated Division 3 Offaly in Tullamore.

While it is commonly held that momentum is a key factor in building a qualifier run, Cavan have generally not taken advantage of their draws against lower-ranked sides. They lost to Wicklow in 2009 and Longford in 2011 and apart from 2013, failed to win extend their run past a second qualifier match.

However, hopes are high that, after securing promotion to the top flight of the league, Cavan will rediscover their best form as they seek to advance to the Super 8s.

Cavan will travel to take on Wicklow in Aughrim on the weekend of June 9-10.