The battle of the blues, Dublin v Cavan preview
- Mar 04,2011
The Dubs are on the road this weekend and make the relevantly short trip up the N3 to Maghera to play Cavan in the fourth round of the Bord Gáis Energy NFL. Cavan are the reigning division 3 champions but have found life to date in division 2 somewhat daunting.
Cavan have played three games and have bagged just three league points out of a possible nine, their win came from a 3-11 to 2-05 over Sligo while their two other league outings have resulted in defeats to both Kerry and Tipperary.
Cavan however have some exceptional players amongst their ranks and should the likes of Ailish Cornyn, Claire Murtagh, Pamela Crowe, Bronagh Sheridan and Aisling Doonan click they have the capability and potential to cause a shock.
Dublin manager Tommy Brown has made a number changes to his starting 15 from that which ran out against Waterford. Brown is using the league campaign wisely and is giving fringe players an opportunity to impress the management team with a number of players fighting it out to bag a coveted place on the 2011 Championship panel.
Dublin’s line out is still quite impressive even though All stars Cliodhna O’Connor, Denise Masterson and Siobhan McGrath are all taking time out with a place on the bench.
Sandra McEvoy sister of midfielder Niamh makes her senior league debut at corner back and the Senior B player of the year Olivia Leonard who had an impressive display against Waterford is once again named at corner forward.
Interestingly four of the starting fifteen namely Fiona Hudson, Lyndsey Davey, Sinead O’Mahony and Amy Connolly have all won the Leinster Young Player of the Year title, while the fore named Davey along with Mary Nevin are All Star winners.
On paper Dublin will be favourites to come away from Maghera with three more league points but as the Irish cricketers proved this week the underdog can sometimes bite you when you least expect it!
Dublin v Cavan: Emma Merrigan (Parnells), Sandra McEvoy (Parnells), Sorcha Furlong (St. Brigids), Sinead O’Mahony (Skerries Harps), Fiona Hudson (Fingallians), Sinead Goldrick (Foxrock/Cabinteely), Gemma Fay (Ballyboden St Endas), Niamh McEvoy (Parnells), Colleen Barrett (St. Brigids), Amy Connolly (Foxrock/Cabinteely), Mary Nevin (Na Fianna), Amy McGuinness (Fingallians), Amy Ring (Foxrock/Cabinteely), Lyndsey Davey (Skerries Harps), Olivia Leonard (St. Maurs).
Subs:Cliodhna O’Connor (Naomh Mearnóg), Ailish McKenna (St. Brigids), Grainne O’Malley (Ballyboden St Endas), Rachel Byrne (Clan Na nGael Fontenoy), Joanne O’Sullivan (Ballyboden St Endas), Siobhan McGrath (Thomas Davis), Noelle Healy (St Brigids), Elaine Kelly (St. Brigids), Denise Masterson (Naomh Mearnóg), Siobhán Woods (Raheny).
Sorcha Furlong below will be in action versus Cavan on Sunday.
