By Michael McMullan

CAVAN travel to Derry on Saturday with a place in the Ulster semi-final up for grabs.

It’s a repeat of the recent Ulster League Shield final, a game Cavan won. but Breffni manager Ed O’Hanlon is putting no stock in that result.

With the loser this weekend still having a second chance to book a semi-final spot via the qualifiers, O’Hanlon believes the championship is wide open.

Monaghan beat reigning champions Tyrone in the league final and also face off this weekend.

“At this stage, the season just getting going,” O’Hanlon said. “We’re happy with how our season’s going, but at the same time, there’s been lots of shadow boxing to this point.”

While there has been a series of league games, he believes the focus across Ulster has been centred on counties sussing out their panel.

“In that sense, it’s gone reasonably well,” he said. “We have a good sense of what our best team is and there’s great competition for places there.

“Heading into the business end of the championship, we’re not in a bad spot.”

Cavan had to hold off a strong Donegal fightback to come through their Round One game. Goals from Jay Graham and Oisin Smyth were key scores.

O’Hanlon feels there is “huge value” is how his side came through against Donegal.

“You can do all the training sessions you like, but to be under pressure in a game with five or ten minutes to go, as both ourselves and Derry were, and to come out the other side of it, is brilliant,” O’Hanlon said.

“Having looked at the Derry game, I think it was a last-minute goal, they weren’t really under that much pressure.

“While they won by a point, it was probably a little bit more comfortable than that.

“At the same time, Down had a good enough second half against the elements, so it was definitely a competitive test.”

Rotation

While Cavan were winners over Derry in the shield final, Oakleafers’ manager Kieran Glackin used the game to rotate his squad with six players getting tested ahead of the championship.

“I wouldn’t read much into it at all,” O’Hanlon said. “Firstly we were at home. I know Kieran and I don’t think he was overly fussed about it.

“Lorcan Higgins, one of the better forwards, and Conor Sargent, their full-back, didn’t play against us. I think it will be a very, very different game in Owenbeg.”

O’Hanlon is happy with the Cavan group under his watch. They are coachable and he can see the improvement. That’s their focus.

“That’s key to us and if we can continue to improve, then, on our day, we’re a match for anybody,” he said.

Up until now, the league and their challenge games across the country have been geared at preparation.

“I think things are only really starting now,” O’Hanlon added, feeling the Ulster title is very much up for grabs.

“Last year, and you had a standout team in Tyrone, but I would be fairly certain that there’s four or five camps around the province now that fancy their chances.”