By Kieran Lynch

CAVAN are adapting to life in a higher division, as last year’s Premier Junior All-Ireland semi-finalists have been rubbing shoulders with some Intermediate sides in Division 2A and they are continuing to learn with each passing test.

Cavan have suffered defeats away from home against Derry and Kerry, but in between those losses they overcame Laois 2-6 to 0-10 at home.

Their captain Josephine Maguire believes that Cavan are improving as the league campaign goes on, and that playing at the higher standard will benefit them come championship time.

“Heading up into Division Two is a big leap up from Division Three,” she said.

“You can see straight away that the game is much faster, the skill levels are higher, and the tempo has upped to be honest.

“We lost the first day out against Derry, but thankfully we were able to get a win against Laois at Breffni Park in our second game, and that got us back on track. But going down to Kerry and playing them in Killarney was certainly a challenge.

“But we’re learning and improving with each passing game, and hopefully playing at such a high standard will stand us in good stead in our Premier Junior Championship campaign.”

Cavan were due to play Meath last weekend, but the game had to be pushed back a week due to the inclement weather conditions.

Maguire says that having the game moved isn’t ideal, but that they’ll be ready come this weekend.

“Yeah, look it was due to the weather conditions which is out of everybody’s control,” she said.

“But it can throw you off schedule definitely. We have been playing back-to-back with matches every week, which has been good in terms of keeping focused.

“Having a week in between which you weren’t expecting, can disrupt your training regime and planning, but it is what it is, and we’ll go at it again on Saturday.”

Meath have defeated Laois and Westmeath this campaign and won’t be easy opposition, but Maguire is hoping that the home crowd can provide Cavan with a boost.

“Our two games left, against Meath and Westmeath, are both at home, so we’ll really be looking to go out and perform as a team, and hopefully get some wins,” she said.

“Home advantage is very good, because we’ll have the crowd behind us, it’s a familiar setting, and you’re not having to travel which is a benefit to any team.

“However, we would not want to underestimate how good Meath are. They have been in Division Two for a while, they’re a high-standard team, and they’re very strong. So, we expect a very tough battle ahead of us.”