Crunch clash with the Rossies this afternoon

Preview

Damien Donohoe

Luck, they say, is when preparation meets opportunity and Cavan, as they head into this weekend's game with Roscommon, need a little bit of it from other results to keep promotion hopes alive - but in order for that to be a possibility, they must keep their side of the bargain and win in Dr Hyde Park this Sunday (2pm).

If there's a side who Cavan would perceive to be around their level that they really owe a beating to, it's Roscommon. Since 2014, Cavan have played the Rossies on eight different occasions across league and championship. The westerners have won six and drawn one to Cavan’s single victory (2019).

Since Raymond Galligan has taken charge, there has only been one meeting between the sides, and that was last year's All-Ireland group stage game in Longford. Under old rules, it was an incredibly open game of football, finishing 3-20 to 1-20 in favour of Roscommon. But what was evident was both sides really love to attack, and that hasn't changed this year.

Roscommon have scored six goals and 100 points in their five games to date which incidentally is the exact same amount as Cavan have conceded so far. Roscommon have shipped 6-80 while Cavan have scored 5-97. On an average points total per game, Roscommon score more than a point more per game and concede four points less than Cavan.

A big part of the Roscommon attack is Diarmuid Murtagh, who has chalked up 32 points, with eight of them coming from frees. He has scored eight two-pointers with four of them coming from frees and yet he was held scoreless in their only defeat so far this year.

So curtailing the impressive Murtagh’s influence will be the number one target. You just need to look at the way Donal Keogan and Meath did it in round four and how vital it was to the Royals’ win. But stopping Murtagh is more than just doing a man-marking job.

When one looks at the Meath game, the Rossies only scored two points from frees, which was their lowest dead-ball tally in the league this year, so disciplined defending is a must when coming up against this Roscommon side.

Dr Hyde Park can be a notoriously windy ground, and with the new rules and two-pointers, wind advantage is most certainly a big advantage. But whether to play with the wind in the first half or the second half is still a debate that lingers.

Looking at Roscommon’s opening five games, they trailed against Down in the first round, 2-6 to 1-14 at the break, a five-point deficit which they turned around with the wind in the second half.

Against Louth in round 2, they led by five points at the break, 0-10 to 0-5, and went on to win the game 1-17 to 1-15, with Roscommon playing with the wind in the first half.

In round three, Monaghan played with the aid of the wind in the first half in ‘the Hyde’ and led 2-6 to 0-8 at the break. That four-point deficit was turned to a four-point win as Roscommon used the breeze in the second half, sending over five two-pointers.

Against Meath , Roscommon played with the wind in the first half and led by four points at the break. Meath tallied 2-10 in the second half with the wind compared to Roscommon's 0-5, which saw the Royals come away with a seven-point victory.

Against Cork, Roscommon led pretty much from start to finish, leading 0-12 to 0-8 at the midway point and winning at a canter in the end on a scoreline of 2-21 to 0-13.

What this indicates, particularly when wind is a factor, is that if Roscommon played with the wind in the first half it's more likely that you'll be able to catch them in the second half if you can keep your scoring up, as Meath did in Páirc Tailteann.

This is going to be Cavan’s biggest test of the year so far and to get the win, the performance will have to be the best by some distance. To win, Cavan will have to keep Roscommon’s scoring total to 20 points or less and make sure they maintain their own average.

Goals would be a big help towards getting the win but while trying for them, it’s important to get a score from goal attempts that are denied. Last year in Longford, Cavan created plenty of goal chances but only took one and more often than not, failed to salvage a score from the attack.

Also, in that game Enda Smith caused Cavan huge problems with his powerful direct running, scoring a goal and setting up a second. He can’t be allowed to control the game.

In the past, Roscommon have been described, perhaps unfairly, as a team with a Division 1 attack, a Division 2 midfield and a Division 3 defence. If that is still the case, then on Sunday, Cavan need to get at their defence every time they have the ball even against the wind. Gerard Smith had a super game last year running at them and Darragh Lovett the same in the second half so hopefully we see lots of players taking on their man.

This writer was so impressed with the variations in how Cavan attacked Down in the last game. If they can keep the Roscommon defenders guessing what way they’re going to get at them, they will do well. The high ball to the square is a strong play and it keeps their defenders a yard or two closer to their goal. That in turn gives a little more space and time on the ball around the arc and Cavan have enough players capable of taking two-pointers that it will start to draw them out, giving the visitors control of the cat-and-mouse game.

I feel there are a number of ways Cavan can beat Roscommon, but they all have two things in common: Cavan out-work them and are brave. It’s clear the form of some key players is improving game on game and if that continues, Cavan will be right there.

This is a huge game for this group and a win would do so much for the county. Outside of, and in some cases within the county, Cavan are no-hopers this weekend, but Sunday is one of those days that leads to the most memorable occasions. A win in the Hyde and the following Sunday in Kingspan Breffni, the place could be hopping.

Cork coming to town, thousands of Cavan supporters out to experience the thrill of a round-seven day when the possibility of promotion is still alive - that’s the best possible preparation for Ulster Championship a few weeks later.