MATT TAKES BLAME FOR STRUGGLES

CAVAN boss Mattie Mcgleenan was surprisingly candid when speaking about his managerial performance last year in the aftermath of winning promotion last Sunday.

Standing on the Kingspan Breffni pitch after the last-gasp one-point win over Tipperary which sent them straight back to the top flight at the first time of asking, Mcgleenan admitted that he felt he sold the team short after inheriting the side in Division One last year.

The were relegated after winning one, drawing two and losing four of their seven games.

Mcgleenan said: “When we sat down and talked about what this National League was going to be, we talked about last year and about the craic we had and the journey we had last year

“I felt I didn’t do these boys justice in terms of my performance last year and I asked them to give me another crack at it this year and in fairness, our National League campaign, I’m delighted with how we went about our business and that stepping stone into next year. Division

One is where you want t o be.”

Ahead of tomorrow’s Division Two final against Roscommon at Croke Park, Cavan defender Ciaran Brady (below) was asked about Mcgleenan’s comments. He explained: “Mattie came in with his own thoughts on how he wanted to play the game last year and maybe it was too quick for us to adapt in Division One football. Maybe it wasn’t the atmosphere to try to adapt.

“We didn’t adapt quick enough because we didn’t get the results. It wasn’t good enough at that level.

“He has had a longer winter with us this year to tell us and show us how he wants us to play. We are starting to reap the rewards and he’s instilling in us what he wants us to do.”

So, has he simplified the game plan this year?

“I wouldn’t say so. We have just had more time to get to know each other and what he wants from us and what we can give him in a way” They’re going up regardless of what happens tomorrow but Brady isn’t drawing a line under this League just yet. “No job done yet. Roscom- mon had the upper hand the last few years so we’ll try to put a few wrongs right.” VERDICT: Roscommon