Cavan in knock-out mode as promotion races thickens up

By Michael McMullan

THERE are still two rounds of league action remaining but Cavan’s Sinéad Greene feels it’s knock-out football from here on.

The Breffni County travel to Laois this weekend before their final game with Limerick.

With eyes firmly fixed on promotion to Division Two, getting to the league final is a priority.

Cavan’s defeat to Wexford is the only blot on their five-game campaign thus far.

It’s been a busy 2025 for Greene. On her return after two seasons away from inter-county action, the Templeport player was voted as the Croke Park HotelLGFA Player of the Month.

“It was quite a surprise,” she admitted.” But it’s always nice to pick up things like that.”

Cavan were relegated last season, with many of their experienced players not involved but a new management team has brought a freshness.

Before Christmas, over 70 players were invited to trials before it was whittled down to 35.

There is a feel-good factor in the county. All the top players threw their hats in the ring and the conveyor belt of underage players have started to fuse into the senior ranks.

“We’re happy with where we’re at for the minute, but at the same time, we’ve nothing won or nothing really achieved yet either,” Greene said of their mid-season report.

Underage in the county is at its peak. Minors are coming on board. There are three players on the squad still studying for their Leaving Cert including two who will play in the upcoming All-Ireland final with Loreto College.

“It is massive,” Greene added, “and I think that brings confidence to us as well, seeing that underage
success. It pushes the whole thing on.”

Cavan’s progress this season rests on a number of factors. The buy-in from everybody. Having an extensive trial process with players then challenged to keep their place on the panel.

“Until the team’s named on Friday night before a match, you don’t really know who’s going to be the starting team, which is brilliant,” Greene added.

“In previous years, the team’s been quite predictable, You would have been confident enough of who was playing where, but that’s definitely not the case this year.”

Injuries to key players have been absorbed by the competition across the board.

“You have kind of more experienced players back who might have taken a break last year for whatever reasons,” Greene added.,

“It obviously is a massive commitment to play county football, as much as it’s an honour, it’s a big commitment.”

While there has been progress, Greene points at the next game. A promotion charge doesn’t allow for much slippage but Cavan have their fate in their own hands.

“We’re essentially kind of looking at it like it’s knockout from here on in,” she said.

“While we’re sitting at the top of the table, there’s very, very, very little between ourselves on Wexford and Laois. Louth in the mix there as well.

“We all have two rounds left to play, so you kind of need to win both games to kind of ensure you’re in the top two.

“It’s in our own hands. We’re looking at the Laois game first. We’re not thinking of our Limerick game at all.”

A slip this weekend could be costly. It would leave Cavan needed results elsewhere to give them a helping hand.

“It’s a massive game for us,” says Greene of Sunday. “We know Laois are a savage team.

“They’re vastly experienced, so they’ll be mad to get promoted and to get out of Division Three as well.

“It’s a very, very important game in our eyes.”