STOP THE PRESS

Patton has news for his team-mates: We’ll need to combat clever Cavan tactic

DONEGAL goalkeeper Shaun Patton admits he is worried about Cavan’s high press in Sunday’s Ulster final.

Patton has emerged as one of the finest custodians in the game during his brief inter-county career.

He was coaxed from the clutches of soccer by Declan Bonner three years ago, with his restarts rivalling those of Stephen Cluxton and Rory Beggan (below).

But, having observed how Cavan dealt with the Down kickout as they came from 10 points behind to win last Sunday’s semi-final, he admits he’ll have his work cut out.

Patton said: “I watched the game and Cavan did quite well on Down’s kickouts. They were well set up. Cavan could come with a really high press and put us under a lot of pressure.

“They have big men out the field as well. That proved to be very important for them. You just have to be ready for whatever comes your way on the day.”

Playing Championship football in November compared to high summer presents a vastly different challenge with kickouts.

Patton said: “In the summer time the weather is good and the ground’s firm, the ball travels a lot further. It’s probably easier to catch if it’s lumped out long because it’s not as wet.

“But days in the winter when the pitches are soft and it’s wet and windy, it can be a lot harder for the outfielders to hold onto the ball if it’s lumped out long so breaking ball and that part of the gameplan is vital now.”

For the first time since 2006, the Ulster final will not be played at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones given its lack of floodlights, with Athletic Grounds chosen instead.

The Armagh venue hosted last Sunday’s Cavan-down game and the pitch had clearly deteriorated, particularly around the goalmouth, though reparatory work has been carried out this week.

“It looked quite muddy but a lot of goalkeepers spend their time diving through the mud in training sessions and they enjoy it so it’s not really a worry,” Patton insisted. “You just have to embrace what’s put in front of you and take it as it comes.”

Patton is fresh from passing out of the Garda College earlier this year and was stationed in Navan, meaning he faces a long commute for training. Indeed, he did not get home for three months during the first lockdown period.

He said: “It’s not the best thing to be doing, driving up and down the road. But to be able to have football this year, it’s unbelievable because it was looking bleak at the start of the year.

“I never got back up once that first lockdown came. I was down in Navan for the whole 12 weeks.

“It was a long period without getting up home. You’re that used to seeing the boys on the panel, your family, it was very strange.”

Shaun Patton is wary of threat posed by Cavan team on a high after win over Down (below)