By Niall Gartland

Lidl National Ladies Football

League Division Two

Cavan v Meath

Sunday, Denn, 2pm

DIVISION Two is a real minefield this year, so Cavan captain Neasa Byrd recognises that they can’t afford to slip up again in this Sunday’s second-round clash against Meath.

All the signs were positive heading into their opening day match against Kerry. Turn-out in training has been excellent – manager James Daly has a panel of nearly 40 players at his disposal – and the hope was that the positive vibe in the camp would translate into results.

However, a one-point loss to the Kingdom means that they are already playing catch-up as Division Two looks exceptionally strong this year. Monaghan were relegated from the top-flight for the first time in 25 years last season, and their 29-point thrashing of Wexford suggests they’re back to their best, while there’s generally an Ulster-tint to proceedings with Armagh and Tyrone also knocking about.

Byrd commented: “Division Two is always so competitive but the results at the weekend show that everyone is out to do well, they have one thing on their minds and that’s promotion.

“Monaghan’s performance was really impressive against Wexford, and there’s never much between us when we play Armagh – we beat them two years ago and they beat us last year, there’s a rivalry between us. Kerry were very impressive against us as well – their forward line is brilliant.

“It’s not going to be easy, we can’t really afford to lose another game. We have to try to get a win or at least a point from our remaining matches.”

A late rally was not enough as Cavan lost out in their first match of the campaign on a scoreline of 4-8 to 3-10 in Kerry’s favour. Byrd admitted it was a bit disappointing given that pre-season preparations have gone so well.

“We’ve prepared really well this year so I thought we might do a bit better. Even to get a draw would have been massive because we were down by seven points at one stage.

“We were very disappointed but I suppose we have to appreciate that we still brought the game back to a point.

“We only have ourselves to blame, we squandered a lot of opportunities so at least we know where we went wrong.

“At the minute we have a panel of 38 or 39 girls, that’s the most there’s been in years. We didn’t get the start we wanted in the league so we have to push on and make sure it doesn’t happen again because the talent most definitely is there. All the best players in Cavan are making themselves available which is good.”

Byrd was also thrilled to be appointed captain this year. It’s the first team a Crosserlough player has ever skippered the senior intercounty ladies’ team, and she says part of her remit will be to ensure that the rookie players on the panel feel encouraged and welcomed.

“It was a very big surprise, it’s a massive honour for me and my club as well. Hopefully I can see a good example but when you’re on a county panel you should do that anyway.

“James [Daly, the manager] suggested I could be a link between the younger and older girls and help get everyone bonding. It might be nice for our new players to have someone there who’ll watch out for them in training and send them a text after games and things like that.”