McVeety shoots from the hip to provide a boost for McGleenan

FORMER Tyrone ace Mattie McGleenan appears to have struck an early blow in Cavan’s bid to regain credibility in the Allianz League by appointing Dara McVeety as captain.

McGleenan took charge of the Breffni side at the start of last year but relegation in the league and defeat to Monaghan in the Ulster Championship made it a depressing debut term for the Eglish clubman.

Since then, McGleenan has been forced to amend his squad because of retirements, the unavailability of certain players and long-term injuries.

But if McGleenan, who was in the Tyrone side that lost out in the 1995 All-Ireland final to Dublin, is seeking a psychological boost as Cavan prepare to face Clare in their league opener, then it can come from the lion-hearted McVeety.

An inspirational figure in the side, McVeety talks as he plays — straight, uncompromising and fearlessly.

“There’s lots of talk. I don’t think players should listen to it anyway but you hear people asking about lads not coming in,” states McVeety.

“If guys don’t really want to be playing for Cavan, then we don’t really want to be playing with them.

“Everyone that is good enough has been asked into the county squad, that is a fact.

“If players don’t want to play for Cavan, you can’t be begging them to wear the county jersey.”