Mattie McGleenan has been appointed as Terry Hyland’s successor in Cavan

FRESHLY-APPOINTED Cavan boss Mattie McGleenan has termed it an “absolute honour” that he has been chosen for the job – but for now his priorities reside with a Scotstown team facing Kilcoo in Sunday’s Ulster Championship first-round clash.

The Scotstown boss has garnered a strong reputation during his four years in charge of Scotstown, steering the Monaghan side to three county titles in four years – and there is a perceptible deal of good-will in Cavan surrounding his appointment as Terry Hyland’s successor, which was officially announced on Monday night.

It’s an attractive but challenging proposition for the former Tyrone footballer, who will guide Cavan through their first Division One campaign in 15 years in the spring.

The raw ingredients are certainly there for a successful stint following years of underage success, while he will also want to convince elder statesman Cian Mackey to stay on board.

McGleenan said: “It’s an absolute honour that Cavan have made me manager for the coming season. It’s a new experience and challenge for me, there’s a great team in Cavan already from talking to the guys, they’ll help me get through all these bits and pieces.

“Put it like this, I’m looking forward to it, but it’s strange how it came about. I never even foresaw being an intercounty manager.”

He added: “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback in Cavan, Terry’s done a super job and he’s a Cavan man through and through. I’m going to do my best and that’s all Cavan can ask of me and all I can ask of myself.”

McGleenan says he is “totally focused” on Scotstown’s eagerly-awaited clash against Down kingpins Kilcoo this weekend, and he speaks in the highest possible terms about the Monaghan club.

“I have nothing but the highest regard for Scotstown people, the last four years have been absolutely fabulous. They have welcomed my family into the club, they have been an absolutely outstanding club in terms of helping me and I have nothing but praise for the young men on the team and this Sunday it’ll be the same.

“The Scotstown team was never about me, it was always about the players and on Sunday it’ll be the same and we’re going to enjoy it.”

The Eglish man is keeping schtum for now about who will make up his backroom with Cavan, but it will be interesting to see whether he he brings Colin McAree and Mick McCormack on board, who are both involved with Scotsown.

He said: “My priority for this week is for Scotstown, I’ll take it one day at a time in relation to what’s going on elsewhere.”