The Official Cavan GAA Discussion thread.

Pub talk. He’s managing Inishkeen in Monaghan and apparently he told Monaghan he has no interest in their role, which is actually available, due to his media commitments.

Sure the man is the GAA equivalent of Micah Richards - working for various media companies across different mediums.

He would be fairly well known around Virginia, had the pub here for a few years so would know a fair few of the footballing people this end of the county. Wouldn't have clue about his style of play etc but wouldn't have any bother getting a group of selectors together.

I said it above if Mickey does go Cavan would be foolish not to give Michael McDermott a good look.

He’s in for the job the lads on the Meath thread reckon but not expected to get it.

I don't want to be presumptuous Cavan King, but I think you're mixing your metaphors. I assume you mean the vultures are circling. Whatever decision Mickey Graham does make about his future, I hope it's not based on the opinion of an ex-county player on a podcast.

Anyone I have spoken to is still at a loss about how we lined up. It was neither one thing or another. I could accept if Westmeath cut us apart because we were so gung-ho going forward (like we were in the Sligo game). But we were cautious and still open. It was one of those days that tactically we got so much wrong.

McGowan's review in the Celt is spot on, especially the subbing of Conor Brady. He should never have been on O'Toole in the first place but when he switched he was one of our better players in the second half. No one picking up Wallace was also a huge mistake.

Anyone make any of the league matches? I was surprised that the Gaels beat Ramor.

Given how the last game went between them in the league, I would have loved to gone to that game and it looks like it didn't disappoint. Not heard WAC but reading the Celt it looks the Lough came out of the traps and despite Ballyhaise throwing a fair bit at them, they always as you said kept them at bay. Sounds like David Brady had another brilliant game. I hope he goes back into the panel and gives it one more try. The talent and physique is there and very quickly like a lot of other lads they will realise that the window to play county football is a very narrow one.

I think everyone agrees that final was a tactical and performance nightmare. If Graham is staying (i actually hope he does) an annoucement would be good (and an early one at that- obviously after it has been communicated to the panel). We only found out the extended panel on our last game! Was thinking if he wasn't staying an early announcement would be vital for fans and players about to play in the championship that might be interested in joining the panel.

Offaly, Meath, Monaghan, Mayo and Donegal at minimum chasing new management teams (you'd assume Down will be too). If we left it late if we were looking we could end up scrambling around and end with a last minute decision like we did in 2016 which led to a load of players dropping off the panel and forcing us to rebuild (again) just as we had made year on year progress for the first time in about 10 years.

Out of interest, have you an idea on who might call it a day? Martin Reilly seems to be one everyone is talking about. I also think that it will be hard for the likes of Niall Murray and Chris Conroy to commit at their ages and get very limited game time.

In fairness to Mickey, since he's started he's always given youth a chance and you've identified a load of lads he's brought in that have probably 8-10 years to give if they can commit. Add to that Cian Reilly, Carolan, Cian Madden and some from the extended panel that hopefully will feature next year (given the work they put in this year- Mickey always said it took at least one year on the panel to come up to speed).

Lynch has been a real find but realistically if we want to get up to higher (consistent) levels we need two or three more scoring forwards in that line up. Gerry Smith added a fair few scores this year but we need someone from outside that panel to step up (Brady from Ramor?) or the likes of Conor Madden or Pierson to come in and tie down a place. I'd love to think McEvoy or young McGovern could come back into the mix as they are both real talents and ones for the longer-term.

The lads you listed, there's mileage on some but easily 3/4 years left or more on some of them. And you absolutely nailed it: anyone i know who loves Cavan football absolutely is dreading the day Gearoid hangs up the boots because I genuinely think of all of them, he is the one that can't be replaced.

I agree that playing James Smith at full forward is robbing Peter to pay Paul. While he was brilliant in that role against Antrim and Donegal I would prefer him out the field. Definitely was needed to add some drive out the middle when we were so lacking in that against Westmeath.

As far as Gearoid, I would keep him on the 40 for the moment and he's still well fit for 70 minutes. I would have always said he was better on the 40 than midfield, and I don't think he's played much football at full forward. He played one game in there last season for the Gaels and scored 2-10 or something ridiculous (against Castlerahan) so maybe he naturally moves in there. But not yet.

Nope but he’s a physio I believe and a lot of those lads tend to travel to study for a while so wouldn’t surprise me.

Sounds like McVeety will be back for Sunday for the game in Crosskeys. Might tip down for that once I check the forecast (pure definition of a fair weather fan :))

Rumour has it his travels are over and he’s back to work. He’s a teacher so August is a good time to come home.

That's good to know, whatever happens with Cavan it'll be great to just see him playing football with the club again, playing alongside Lynch and James Smith is an exciting prospect.

I think Gowna are going to be close this year (again), and naturally Ramor if / when they get to full tilt will be a handful for anyone. Outside of that the Gaels or a Morris-inspired Kingscourt could take a scalp off anyone on their day. Should be a good championship.

Anyone willing to make their predictions across the three grades?

The County Board seem to be making the right noises so I’d say he’s staying on, hopefully he’s sorting out a bit of a reshuffle of the back room team, has to replace Corey anyway.

Hard to know what is best I'm on the fence with him staying on. Although I'd have him before any money grabber from another county he does have the interest of Cavan football at heart. Hopefully he has learned from his mistakes and shuffles the backroom team.