The Official Cavan GAA Discussion thread.

There’ll be changes I’d expect. Gerry Smith will start if he’s fit.

The one change I wouldn’t mind seeing is Padraig Faulkner being given a break to be honest. His form has been poor at intercounty level and I know you stick with your top players and let them play themselves back into form but you’d wonder would a break serve him well.

I don't think given someone a break at the start of a league campaign is going to do much good.

Tipp got 1-1 from play, rest frees many of them very soft. I was very impressed with O Neill, Oisin Brady, Tiernan Madden and again McVetty was just on a different level. Great to see some forwards play with a swagger and working hard. A lot of positives and in the end Tipp were totally out of ideas.

Any alternative suggestion? Caught out for the goal today. I’d feel something has to change.

He has struggled for a while in there I think someone else needs to be given a go but is there a natural full back on the panel?

Some great performances again today. McVeerty was exceptional, but O'Neill and Brady had fine games as well. Thought Carolan was outstanding in the second half. Encouraging cameo from Boylan. Thought the Holla was quiet enough as was Oisin Kiernan but to win by 12 points overcoming a lethargic start is a very good sign.

Thankfully it had no bearing on the outcome but the ref was absolutely atrocious. How did he miss the penalty on Carolan? He handed Tipp some shocking handy frees, missed a blatant charge into the Holla, called Madden for picking a ball of the ground that bounced into his hands. I could go on. He was completely out of his depth.

Reilly definitely is on the panel but injured or is coming back off one. Faulkner had very little to do today and barring mistiming that challenge on O'Loughlin against Westmeath he was solid in both of our games. Definitely looks fitter this year.

My bad. I thought it was Faulkner. My excuse is my eye sight isn’t great and I was at the far end of the terrace!

Tipp warmed up in front of where I was and I know it doesn’t need to be revolutionary but even their warm up looked basic.

Fair play to O'Neill- he worked so hard to win a ball he had no right to win. Some of the frees the ref gave to Tipp in the first half were ridiculously soft.

I think there was some important pruning of the panel this year and the emergence of O'Neill is indicative of the type of player Graham is trying to bring through - Dedicated and disciplined and willing to do their time as a panel member before breaking into the team. O'Neill might not look as classy in possession as Oisin Brady or Lynch but his workrate is incredible and he's making the right decisions. If he keeps winning ball he'll keep that jersey.

Mickey needs to be careful no complacency kicks in now. A slip up against Longford and we could come crashing back to earth very easily. Hopefully with players returning to fitness, competition for a starting jersey should keep lads' eyes on the ball.

I saw him this year in Junior Championship and he could do nothing right I was wondering how he was on the County panel its was obviously a bad day for him.

Cavan King - The question is will these players coming back from injury 1) Be up to championship fitness and 2) Be on top of their form. You'd expect one or two might not.

I was thinking more in terms of personnel swaps than actual positions. Truth be told, you’ll never have everyone fit but my ideal line up would not have Jason in the half forward line.

I think Mickey is, as per normal, keeping his cards close to his chest to keep opposition guessing but, if McKiernan & Smith were anywhere near fitness, you’d have to expect they’d be getting minutes like Lynch is. You’d also wonder the actual status of Gerry Smith that he was in the 26 yesterday but didn’t feature at all - hopefully he was there in case the game was sticky and he was needed but then he wasn’t.

Oisin Brady may have to drop out to the half forward line eventually because you’ve McKiernan and Lynch to fit into the full forward line ideally and Ryan O’Neill can’t be dropped on present form.

These are certainly good headaches to have and I’d still love to see Jack McKenna or Conor Smith feature at some point.

He started and was replaced by Ryan Donohoe after 45 minutes. Was only listening on the radio, think he played midfield.

Micky is going to have a few headaches ahead in a good way, The way Ryan O’Neill and Oisin brady are playing they are holding their places for now Martin reilly going on yesterday will probably make way for paddy Lynch when fully fit, Gerry smith more than likely will come in probably at centre or wing forward in place of Cian madden or johny McCabe and does gearoid when fit come in here or full forward line then James smith and Connor brady which of them go midfield? But unfortunately by all accounts Connor will be gone for a while, Then gunner and Jason McLaughlin are not going to budge finnegan or carolan at the moment as both have been very solid so far, then there is Connor Smith Cian reilly and more will be pushing hard for places , more competition than we have had in a good while.