By Michael McMullan

NEW Fermanagh manager Kieran Donnelly hopes his hectic schedule continues as he balances getting up and running in the post with his second season in charge of Cavan Gaels.

Donnelly and Peter Canavan were in charge when the Gaels won the 2014 title and they lost out to Kingscourt at the semi-final stage last season.

After a successful spell with Scotstown, Donnelly returned and hopes to help the Cavan giants to a 15th title and a first since 2017.

They drew with champions Crosserlough (0-10 each) in the group stages, with a narrow win over Lavey, victories over Ballinagh and recent back-to-back winners Castlerahan.

‘Seven or eight’ remain since Donnelly’s first stint at the club, who are still backboned by their 2017 winning team.

“A lot of the experienced players have retired three or four years ago,” he said. “There has been a big turnover due to age and different reasons.”

The significant newcomer is county star Gearoid McKiernan who transferred from his native Swanlinbar after their relegation. McKiernan scored 2-10 against Castlerahan, but was restricted to a substitute appearance in their quarter final win over Laragh United.

“Preparations are going well,” Donnelly said. “The Cavan championship over the past few years, and this year in particular, has been the most competitive it has been in a long, long time.”

The Gaels, their opponents Ramor United and Gowna are inseparable, with Kingscourt as the rank outsides with the bookies.

“From the outset, every team in the quarter final thought they’d a chance,” Donnelly points out. The last four in this competition are in with a massive shout of winning it.”

The Cavan championship is organised in a league format, with each team playing four games and the top eight seeded in the quarter-finals. To add spice, teams only got one week’s notice of their next fixture.

“It keeps you on your toes,” jokes Donnelly, highlighting the scramble for video footage at short notice and finalising preparations. Now, only four remain.

“Ramor are an exceptionally good side and have won it three or four years ago (2016). They have a lot of experience in the team. I am looking forward to the game and it is definitely going to be a tough challenge.”

Cavan football had the boost of winning the Anglo Celt Cup, but Donnelly – a teacher in Omagh CBS – isn’t surprised, mentioning the county’s U21 successes, St Patrick’s Cavan’s 2015 MacRory Cup title as proof of how ‘competitive’ they’ve been on the schools’ scene.

“Cavan is a proud footballing county, they are football mad,” he said. “It was a tough, physical championship. I have found the standard very high, very competitive and a physical, tough championship to win. That hasn’t changed.

“No championship is easy won, but I do feel there are a lot of teams at the one level the past two to three years.”

Scotstown Manager Kieran Donnelly