The Allianz Football League Division III gets underway this weekend, as Cavan travel to Casement Park this Sunday to face Antrim with a 2pm throw-in.
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After his impressive four-year tenure as Antrim manager, this past August saw the departure of Derry native Liam Bradley. The man who steps into his shoes is Frank Dawson, who has guided Down side Burren to two county titles. He is hoping he cane achieve the same success as his predecessor in his debut season.
Cavan are hoping this season will prove to be more successful than last year’s outing in the league. The Breffni men were almost relegated to the fourth tier of league football last season, losing five out of their seven games finding themselves more than fortunate to secure a sixth place finish.
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Form
Antrim come into the game after a rather successful Dr. McKenna Cup campaign. A win over UUJ and a draw against Derry was only marred by a defeat to outright victors Tyrone. Dawson believed there was a progression in his team over the three matches and was very pleased with the campaign.
Cavan also showed their determination and grit in the Dr. McKenna Cup with spirited performances against Armagh and Down. There were also positive signs for Terry Hyland’s men as the progression of their remarkable U21 team for the past few years are staking their claim in the senior team.
Team News
Antrim: C Kerr, K O’Boyle, P Doherty, N Delargy, T Scullion, J Crozier, J Carron, M McCann, S McVeigh, C Murray, K Niblock, B Herron, M Pollock, M Herron, R Murray.
Cavan: J Reilly, O Minagh, R Dunne, D Barkey, P O’Reilly, A Clarke, J McCutcheon, G McKiernan, D Givney, C Mackey, M Reilly, D O’Reilly, M McKeever, M Dunne, N McDermott.
Players to Watch
Antrim- John Carron
Dawson is given four Antrim players their first taste of National League football action tomorrow afternoon, and maybe none more deserving than Cargin man John Carron. The left-half back has advanced into the senior team after already proving himself at U21 for his county. He featured in all the Dr. McKenna Cup games and is may prove to be a very exciting prospect for Antrim football.
Cavan- Cian Mackey
If Cavan are to establish themselves as contenders in Division III they will need all their promising players to deliver this season. Castlerahan man Cian Mackey, showed early signs this pre-season that he may produce the potential that he has promised over the last few years.
