Conroy: We have the players so it’s all about getting the performances

By Niall Gartland

CAVAN U-20 boss Chris Conroy says he has full confidence in his side’s innate ability as they get set for their round-two clash against Armagh tomorrow [Wednesday] at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

An Ulster Championship winner with Cavan in 2020, Conroy has now hung up the boots – at county level at least – but the Lavey man is carving out a reputation as an up and coming coach and manager.

Having been involved in taking care of development squads for the Breffni, he is in his first year leading the line of the U20s and he oversaw an impressive win over defending All-Ireland champions Tyrone on their first day out.

Reflecting on that eye-catching win last Wednesday, he praised his backroom team for their astute tactical choices ahead of the game.

“In fairness, our prep up to the game had been good. Our backroom team had done a lot of work making sure we got our match-ups right in how Tyrone play. It was then about making sure we could make it count on the scoreboard when we got our opportunities.”.

“We cleaned up things from our challenge games and we knew we were heading in the right direction. I’d be a firm believer that there’s definitely players in any county who are well capable of competing, so that’s our own mantra.”

Tyrone’s astonishing recent success at underage level, mopping up three of the last four All-Ireland U20 titles, almost speaks for itself at this stage, but Chris felt his players were eager to prove themselves on that stage.

“Tyrone have been setting the benchmark the last couple of years at underage, but our lads wanted to impress too and show that they can compete.

“We got your little bit of luck with the goal and we came out a wee bit on top around the kick-outs and breaking ball, which does help. The lads performed well and once you get the performance, you have to be content.”

Attention now turns to tomorrow night’s group stage clash against Armagh, who likewise are bidding for back-to-back victories having overcome Down last weekend. Conroy is looking forward to their trip to the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

“It’s always a tough place to go, but one of the more enjoyable places too. The crowd is right on top of you and the lads are looking forward to it, but we’re expecting a tough battle.

“Watching back their game against Down, they’re moving well. They’ve five or six threats up top that would cause any team in the country bother. They look well set up and, in fairness, they’re trying to emulate what their seniors are doing—pressing high, forcing turnovers and working very hard collectively.”

Looking back on his own journey into the world of management, Conroy acknowledges that it’s been a step-to-step process but that he did get the coaching bug at a young age.

“I got into it young enough. I started helping out around 18 or 19 with the club and progressed from there. Through work, I was a coaching officer, so I’d been involved in squads and things like that.

“I hadn’t planned to be a manager as such, but it was just an opportunity that was hard to turn down.”