By Michael McMullan

CAVAN star Dara McVeety wasn’t risked in Saturday’s defeat to Antrim and manager Mickey Graham insists the Crosserlough man is “fine” with championship the main focus.

After starting all nine games this season since a return from Australia, McVeety wasn’t listed in the matchday squad.

The only two minutes of action he missed before Saturday was the tail end of their win over Down when he made way for rookie Cian Reilly.

“He picked up a bit of a knock and there is no point in risking him at this stage,” Graham said of McVeety’s non-inclusion.

“If anyone picks up a serious injury at this stage, you are probably going to be ruled out of the championship.

“We have to look at the long-term goal as well. If we took a chance today, it might’ve made things worse at this stage.”

Cavan will face the winners of the preliminary round game between Armagh and Antrim with promotion back to Division Two secured with Sunday’s visit of Fermanagh still to play with Kieran Donnelly’s side needing to avoid defeat to join them.

Saturday got another 40-odd minutes into the returning Gearóid McKiernan who began his comeback in the second half of the Down game.

Graham has used 49 players across the ten games so far this season with Ciaran Brady, Killian Clarke and Tiarnan Madden the trio who have started every game, with latter yet to miss a single minute of action.

There was a place on the bench for Oisin Brady who picked up an ankle injury against Longford and could come into consideration for action against the Erne County.