A repeat of last year's Ulster semi-final and if subsequent National League form is any sort of barometer at all, then Cavan, still the Ulster champions, have been in a negative spiral since. But in their first championship game this year they showed formidable resolve in subduing a decent Fermanagh team and in players like Ronan Carolan, Dermot McCabe and Mickey Graham possess enough steel to give them hope that they can at least return to Clones in July.
Donegal played pretty football in the depths of winter and possess some razor-sharp forwards. In Tony Boyle they have possibly the best full forward in the game. They are fundamentally sound in defence but the quest to find a midfield partner for the sparkling Jim McGuinness remains elusive. This time, the versatile Noel Hegarty gets the nod. Cavan have McCabe and have credible options in Pearse McKenna and Fergus Reilly to partner him. Dominance in this sector will be vital. Donegal looked unconvincing against Antrim - nothing new there - and Cavan have enjoyed a notoriously low profile for provincial champions. This is a match in which both teams will quietly fancy themselves. Last summer, Cavan possibly played above themselves in taking Ulster; now the onus is on Donegal to do the same.
Team Selections
Cavan: P O'Dowd; G Sheridan, C Brady, T Farrelly; A Forde, B Morris, P Shiels; Dermot McCabe, AN Other; R Carolan, L Reilly, R Cunningham; J Reilly, F Cahill, M Graham. Donegal: T Blake; M Crossan, JJ Doherty, B McGowan; D Diver, M Coll, N McGinley; N Hegarty, J McGuinness; J Duffy, A Sweeney, J Gildea; B Devenney, T Boyle, M Boyle.
Team News
Significant alterations to both teams. Cavan have brought Ciaran Brady to the heart of their defence, at full back, and team manager Liam Austin has opted to keep an open mind about midfield, possibly hoping that Fergus Reilly shakes off an injury. Donegal have been forced to call in Tony Blake for injured goalkeeper Paul Callaghan. Cavan may try and test him early. Veteran forwards Manus Boyle and Mickey Graham line out for Donegal and Cavan respectively while Donegal boss Declan Bonner has bolstered his defence with the presence of J J Doherty. John Duffy also comes back for Donegal at half forward.
Key Confrontation
Unsurprisingly, Cavan boss Liam Austin considered the prospect of Tony Boyle fronting Donegal's attack and didn't take to the notion of a rookie full back guarding him. Ciaran Brady has been asked to summon the savvy gained in other summers. If Donegal get possession enough Brady should have a busy afternoon because Donegal will look to play through ball to Boyle a lot. If Brady stifles him, then much of Cavan's work will be done. Few have succeeded there, however, and given ball, Boyle will motivate and free a potentially-lethal Donegal front six.
View From The Camps
"There was a lot of pressure on at home against a Fermanagh team that had injury problems. I don't think there is as much pressure on them this Sunday. They know that Donegal are a highly-rated team. In this context, the boot is on the other foot." - Liam Austin (Cavan manager).
"Everyone seems to forget that Cavan are Ulster champions. This is a good team we will play next Sunday. But we have the belief that we are good enough." - Manus Boyle (Donegal forward).
Prediction: Donegal.
