Cavan fans hope long wait is nearly over

THE ENDURING nature of the game of Gaelic football in Cavan is epitomised in the determination shown down the bleak years since 1952.

I have been waiting for an All Ireland title in any grade since that year, when they won at senior level, beating neighbours Meath by nine points to five in a replay.

Those who look for signs and portents now take heart from the fact that Cavan beat Meath in this year's under 21 semi final after another replay, which has brought them to a tilt with Kerry in Thurles on Sunday. In addition, the last time Cavan met Kerry in an All Ireland final was in the Polo Grounds in New York in 1947, when Cavan captured the Sam Maguire on a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-7.

A meeting between Kerry and Cavan in an All Ireland final may seem strange to younger people, but will have an air of normality for many of the older generation.

For my own part, my first visit to Croke Park featured this pair in 1955, when the two All Ireland semi finals formed a double header after the original games were drawn. Kerry beat Cavan on that occasion and went on beat Dublin - who had won their replay against Mayo - in the final.

Cavan supporters will travel in big numbers for their first really big day out since 1969 when they won their last Ulster senior title. On that occasion there was a replay of their All Ireland semifinal with Offaly, before Offaly made their way to the final.

Kerry supporters are also hungry for some sign of a revival in their fortunes, and the team has an opportunity of putting aside the disappointment which attended Kerry's defeat by Mayo in the senior semi final.

Kerry have left the full forward position open for Sunday's match. Cavan are expected to be unchanged. Kerry have been hit by injury, although Liam Hassett has been declared fit and will play at centre forward. Eamonn Fitzmaurice plays at left halfback after coming on as a sub in the second half against Galway, while Michael F Russell comes in at right corner forward.

The hurling followers of Wexford, who are still on cloud nine after the senior team's victory, will be bringing their well worn colours to Thurles on Sunday for the under 21 hurling final against Galway. Another victory there would certainly help to bring Liam Griffin's vision of a solid revival for hurling in Wexford to fruition, although Galway will have ideas of their own.

The match is being seen in Galway as one which holds great importance for the future. Cyril Farrell, the man who gets most of the credit for leading Galway hurling out of the wilderness, is in charge of the under 21 team. Another All Ireland title would certainly promote his name for a return to the helm at senior level.

Galway followers are an unforgiving lot and criticism of Mattie Murphy after the senior defeat in the All Ireland semi final by Wexford has been pretty strong and has led to calls for the reinstatement of Farrell. In this respect there is much at stake for Galway.

There is some annoyance in the county also in regard to the fixing of a date for the replay of the All Ireland minor final. Two members of the minor side are involved with the under 21s the minor captain Michael Healy and the team's full forward, Eugene Clonan.

In regard to the date for the minor replay it now seems that Saturday, September 14th, the eve of the All Ireland football final, is the likely date. The game will be played as a double header with the junior All Ireland final between Galway and Kilkenny in Tullamore.