Hi °C | Lo °C Cavan have received a double boost ahead of Sunday week’s Ulster Championship opener against Antrim with the return of Anthony Forde and Nicholas Walsh from injury.
Centre-back Forde and midfielder and former Aussies Rules recruit Walsh picked up hamstring injuries in a recent challenge match against Sligo, and were forced to sit out last Sunday's challenge win over Meath in Ashbourne.
However, the duo were able to resume training on Tuesday night, providing manager Donal Keogan with a timely boost ahead of the meeting with the Saffrons in Casement Park.
Apart from inspirational team captain Mark McKeever, who is currently serving a suspension, Cavan should be close to full strength for the game.
Defender Pauric Reilly will take over the captaincy in the Gowan man's absence.
Reilly is one of the players that manager Keogan will be depending upon to provide drive and leadership, qualities that hav been missing to some extent from recent Cavan performances.
Yet with Seanie Johnston in sparkling form and Dermot McCabe ready to bring his vast experience to the championship table, Cavan will not lack initiative.
"We know that we sold ourselves short in the National League and the fact that we were relegated certainly was not something that was on the agenda.
"But that's in the past. We now have a chance to make up for our league setback.
"And if we could get into a first round meeting with Armagh, it would certainly create a gret buzz in the county.
"But Antrim at home will be difficult, we know that. It will be a very tough test for us as we know what they are capable of.
"They may have lost their last two games in the league but they are still a team with a lot of skill and pace and with the backing of their own fans, they are well capable of rising to the occasion."
