Former Carlow and current Down minor coach Steven Poacher looks at where Down and Cavan can get some joy in their Ulster semi-final bout.
Steven Poacher insists it is no secret that Down have had issues with their kickouts.
The Mourne County eventually saw off Fermanagh in their Ulster SFC quarter-final, and will return to a provincial decider for the first time since 2017 should they beat Cavan.
The current Down minor coach believes his county has terrific pace in the side, and hopes that manager Paddy Tally can find ways to unleash it against the Breffni County.
Mickey Graham’s Cavan had a pulsating win over Monaghan in their opening championship clash of the season, and then followed it up with victory over Antrim.
“I think we have got a big chance,” says Poacher of Down. “We will not fear Cavan, certainly not.
“We have the mobility and that pace, but my only fear is that physicality under kick-outs.”
Click play on the video at the top of the page for a full preview and analysis.
TALE OF THE TAPE
This will be their first Ulster championship meeting since 2007 when Down won a preliminary-round tie by four points.
They met in the All-Ireland qualifiers two years ago when Cavan won by two points.
LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASHES
2018: Cavan 1-14 Down 0-15 (Qualifier Round 2)
2007: Down 0-15 Cavan 0-11 – Replay (Ulster preliminary round)
2007: Down 3-8 Cavan 2-11 – Draw (Ulster preliminary round)
2006: Down 1-13 Cavan 0-11 (Ulster preliminary round)
2004: Cavan 3-13 Down 2-12 – Replay (Ulster quarter-final)
*Cavan beat Monaghan (2-15 to 1-17 after extra-time) and Antrim (0-13 to 0-9) to reach
the semi-final. Down beat Fermanagh by 1-15 to 0-11.
*Cavan, who lost to Donegal in last year’s Ulster final, are bidding to reach the final in suc-
cessive years for the first time since 1968-69.
*Down were last in the Ulster final in 2017. They haven’t won the title since 1994 while
Cavan’s last success was in 1997.
ULSTER SFC
October 31: Preliminary round: Cavan 2-15 Monaghan 1-17 (aet), Clones
Nov 1: Quarter-finals: Armagh 0-17 Derry 0-15, Celtic Park; Donegal 1-13 Tyrone 1-11,
Ballybofey.
Nov 7: Quarter-final: Cavan 0-13 Antrim 0-9, Kingspan Breffni Park.
Nov 8: Quarter-final: Down 1-15 Fermanagh 0-11, Enniskillen.
Nov 14: Semi-final: Donegal v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni Park
Nov 15: Semi-final: Down v Cavan, Athletic Grounds.
Nov 22: Final
