Bullish Breffni are ready for Dubs – Johnston

EXPECTATIONS have been well and truly exceeded by Cavan with a famous Ulster SFC success already under their belts, but Seánie Johnston expects the battlehardened Breffni men to pose plenty of problems for Dublin this weekend.

While the Dubs were prohibitive odds to make it to the last four, few predicted that this Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final opponents would be Cavan and former Breffni star Johnston is adamant that Mickey Graham’s side have “absolutely nothing to lose”.

With four punishing games yielding the Anglo-Celt Cup – including two victories over Division 1 opposition – Johnston feels that Cavan may have a slight edge over the Dubs after they coasted their way through Leinster.

“Dublin are different to everyone else in Leinster because they’re always hammering someone. People were asking ‘Could Donegal rattle Dublin?’ but they were never going to coast through Ulster because there’s no hidings given out,” Johnston said.

“No matter if it’s Division 1 against Division 4, it’s never a 20-point win, it’s always quite small and Cavan have beaten a seasoned Division

1 side in Monaghan, as well as a Donegal (side) that people thought were the only side that could rattle Dublin.

“They were aggressive on and off the ball and they’re going to need to bring that level to the Dubs.”

Johnston, who retired quietly from the county game around the same time as his Cavan Gaels club-mate took the reins, believes that Graham will be relishing the thought of overseeing another miracle against “the best team of all time”. Johnston also reckons that Cavan are in a healthier position than other years given that “celebrations would have been crazy if the pubs were open” and he gives them “a real shot” as they have relished the underdog tag throughout their remarkable run.

“They have shown great resilience and character in every game, and they’ve been the underdog in every game bar the Antrim game, which was probably the least impressive performance,” he said.

“Whatever about being in a no-lose situation against Donegal, they have absolutely nothing to lose against Dublin. They’re going to show up and give it one hell of a go.

“Whether that will be good enough, who knows, but they’re in the last four of the All-Ireland and it’s incredible. I know one of the Cavan lads said it may be scary against the Dubs but it’s so exciting as well. What an opportunity, they’ve nothing to lose and I give them a real shot.”