In the aftermath of a heavy defeat in their opening game of the Ulster Championship, Cavan manager Val Andrews admitted that his plans for first-half containment of Donegal were scuppered by the early sending off of Ray Cullivan.
With a team-sheet that included eight championship debutants, an inexperienced Cavan side was unable to cope with the new demands put upon them by Cullivan's dismissal. Despite the fact that the numbers were evened up shortly afterwards when Donegal's Michael Murphy was red-carded, the psychological damage had been done and it would be unfair to use that match as a measure of Cavan's ability.
They were hesitant in their play on that occasion, particularly in the first half. The introduction of experienced members to the side ensured a much more promising second-half display and, if the right blend of youth and experience is chosen for the starting 15 against Longford, a much improved display can be expected.
Many of the players on the pitch against Donegal were members of the Under-21 side that went all the way to the All-Ireland final this year and, though well beaten by Galway in the final itself, the run to Croke Park was impressive and indicates that there's plenty of good young talent in the county.
The concern for Cavan is that it may take some time before the team adjusts to this level of competition but they should, at the very least, be competitive against Longford.
Under the guidance of former Kildare captain Glenn Ryan, Longford won Division Four of the Allianz League, beating Roscommon in the final, and arguably should have beaten Laois in the opening match of the Leinster championship.
A lack of a killer instinct in front of the posts proved costly that day but they are a side now going in the right direction and morale should not have suffered too much for that defeat.
Against Roscommon in the league final, Longford made a really bright start, scoring two goals inside the first 20 minutes, and Ryan will be pushing for a similar start here. Putting pressure on Cavan's inexperience could be the key to winning this game and Longford have shown enough to suggest they're well capable of exploiting that potential weakness in their opponents.
Cavan management, players and fans will be expecting a much improved show but time is likely to see them in a better light and, on this occasion, they may have to give best to a progressive Longford side.
Verdict: Longford
