Mclaughlin expecting tough task against Cavan

FERMANAGH have another chance of making the semi-final stages of the Ulster U-20 Championship when they collide with Cavan in Brewster Park on Wednesday, April 10.

With two defeats to Armagh and Donegal-team manager Maurice Mclaughlin will be hoping for a home victory to banish the blues of those earlier defeats.

“We are looking forward to playing Cavan and hopefully the home venue will stand to us.

“We have not won either of our two matches, but they have been a learning curve for the squad

“And I cannot fault their effort over either game as they are a very committed bunch.”

Despite the defeats, Mclaughlin is a big fan of the extended U-20 season.

“It is really great as it gives us a chance to look at a variety of players and it gives us a lot more football. At this grade it is all about developing players to compete at senior level.”

He added: “Cavan are a proud county, and they will not be an easy task in Brewster but this is a game we are really looking forward to.”

But even if Fermanagh lose, on Wednesday evening-they are then entered in a B competition.

“Yes that gives the whole competition a lot more continuity and it is good for the players as well.

“The more games they get, the more they will develop and grow as future senior players but we will be going all out to get that first win over Cavan on Wednesday night.

Looking back at the defeat to Donegal, Mclaughlin, acknowledged that the quality of their opponents was pretty apparent in their 1-13 to 0-05 defeat.

But he referenced two key turning points in the match as significant moments in that eventual comprehensive defeat.

“It was very disappointing and I was pleased with elements of the first half when we competed quite well with Donegal.

“I felt that we battled well and put Donegal under pressure for quite some considerable period.”

Fermanagh were trailing Donegal by a point on score of 0-03 to 0-02 when they had a goal chalked off, missed a point and Donegal went up the other end to score.

It was definitely no square ball but that was the call and we are not getting it back and it would have left us two points up after 15 minutes.

“We had set out our stall to keep it tight and to try and contain a highquality Donegal side who have a number of senior players in their squad.

“And I thought we did that reasonably well for the first half but I was disappointed by the last quarter.”