By Niall McCoy

MONAGHAN manager Seamus McEnaney has played down the chances of midfielder Niall Kearns and specialist man-marker Colin Walshe being involved in Saturday’s Ulster Championship opener against Cavan at Clones.

Both players were absent from the matchday panels for the recent league meetings with Kerry and Meath due to injury, and ‘Banty’ isn’t hopeful of a quick return.

“It’s not 100 percent done and dusted,” he said. “But they have no game-time behind them obviously going into a championship match.

“It’s certainly not where they want to be and we’ll see how they get through training on Thursday night.”

Ahead of the derby game, the Monaghan manager has praised the influence of highly-rated Down coach Conor Laverty who McEnenay has said has “fitted in like a glove.”

“Lav is a highly-motivated operator, he is an absolutely fantastic coach,” said McEnaney.

“Kilcoo men are more like Monaghan men than Down men in some ways.

“I think he is a fantastic operator to have in, he’s great craic, and I tell you another thing, he’s a damn cheeky fecker as well.

“There’s always great craic out of him and thank God there is always great craic in our management team.”

Last weekend provided mixed fortunes for the two sides as Monaghan’s draw with Meath was enough to keep them in Division One while Cavan’s loss to Clare saw them relegated to Division Three.

“Championship matches have very little relevance to the National League, especially this year,” McEnaney opined.

“Normally the National League finishes and you have a period when players go back to their clubs but this year it’s six days later and into the championship. So it’s completely different scenario.

“Since God was a child, the rivalry between Monaghan and Cavan has been very strong.

“What position you are in the league means absolutely nothing. When the ball is thrown in at 1.15pm on Saturday it doesn’t make a difference.”

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com