2015 Bank of Ireland McKenna Cup Semi Final
Cavan v Fermanagh @ Kingspan Breffni Park @ 8.00pm
Both these sides come into this game after performing admirably in the group stages with both picking up two wins and a single defeat each by a point to put both of them top of their respective groups.
Cavan last won the McKenna Cup back in 2000, while Fermanagh have to go further back to 1997 when they last tasted glory in the curtain raiser competition before the NFL campaign starts next weekend for both sides, Fermanagh at home to Louth on Saturday January 31st, while Cavan travel to play Roscommon the following day.
Coming into this game Fermanagh look to have found a really determined and steely defence this season with the Erne County only conceding 1-28 in 3 games compared to the high scores they were conceding last year, while the return of Eoin Donnelly to the Fermanagh side in last Sundays one point defeat to Donegal will have pleased boss Pete McGrath no end.
In the Erne attack it is currently Sean Quigley (pictured) who has been hogging all the limelight with an astonishing 3-10 scored of Fermanagh’s 4-27 this season. Ryan Jones has also the knack of scoring in each game this year while the likes of Daniel Kille, Paul McCusker and Ruairi Corrigan can all be called upon to chip in with a score.
Overall Fermanagh are progressing satisfactorily but with a tough looking division 3 campaign ahead McGrath will be well aware the minimum of 3 points will be needed against Louth and Sligo, while to take the scoring burden off Sean Quigley’s shoulders is something that will have to be worked upon.
It has been well publicised that Cavan have lost key figures for various reasons this year in quality players such as David Givney, Eugene Keating, Kevin Tierney and Seanie Johnston while the red card shown to Swanlinbar’s Gearoid McKiernan last Sunday against Monaghan will be a detrimental loss to his County in Wednesday night’s Semi final.
Cavan had Goalkeeper Conor Gilsenan to thank on Sunday past after the Bailieboro stopper had pulled off two wonderful saves late on to deny Monaghan in a game in which Cavan had McKiernan red carded, Niall McDermott double yellow carded and Damien O’Reilly black carded.
Rory Dunne at full back has been playing superbly well this year and it is hugely anticipated he will pick up Roslea’s Sean Quigley. In front of Dunne, Ronan Flanagan has been playing a sweeper role to perfection, while at midfield the loss of McKiernan will most likely see Cavan go with Damien O’Reilly and Killian Clarke in the middle.
In attack Cavan have hit 3-34 in 3 games this season which is 3 points better off than the Erne attack. Martin Reilly is the go to man for Cavan this season with his blistering pace proving to be very hard to handle for his man-markers. Other attackers that will cause the Fermanagh defence problems will be the likes of Jack Brady, Niall McDermott and Martin Dunne who all on their day can prove to be match winners for Terry Hyland’s side.
Overall Cavan will come into the game rightly as favourites with the bookmakers and with home advantage they will be exceptionally hard to break down.
Fermanagh must keep it tight early on and build around the middle, with Cavan likely to drop men back the game could be played out like a chess match.
History between these neighbouring Counties can sometimes become a little heated while it should be very tight. Both sides are fantastically well organised teams, the winner should be whatever side that just shows that but more of an attacking threat.
By Tom Tue 20th Jan
