Cavan manager Terry Hyland admits it would be “absolutely great” if his side can earn promotion to Division 1 in this weekend’s winner-takes-all encounter with Galway at Breffni Park.
It marks a huge turnaround for the Ulster side, who were tipped for a relegation battle after opening National League defeats to Tyrone and Derry.
Hyland’s side have recovered to record four successive victories, including last weekend’s five point success over Laois.
“It would be absolutely great for this bunch of young lads"
Unbeaten Tyrone have already sealed promotion, but with Cavan a point ahead of the Tribesmen in second place, the Breffni men are in control of their own destiny .
Hyland believes it would be just rewards for his inexperienced side.
“It would be absolutely great for this bunch of young lads,” he told RTÉ 2fm’s Game On.
“There has been a lot of hard work in the last few years.
“If we are lucky enough to get across the line, it will be good for them to get to get into Division 1 and see what it’s like.”
Having won five of the last six Ulster U-21 championships, only a few of the young stars have made the breakthrough at senior level and Hyland believes Galway’s underage talent which will provide a stern test on Sunday.
The Tribesmen secured All-Ireland U-21 titles in 2013 and 2011, where they defeated Cavan 2-16 to 1-09 and Hyland is wary of the threat they possess.
“They’ll have a good number of those footballers (from 2011) playing on Sunday,” he said.
Seanie Johnston helped himself to 1-03 against Laois last time out before he was substituted after picking up a hamstring injury and has played a key role in the team's recent run of results.
Hyland remains hopeful the star forward will play some part on Sunday and has praised his selfless role in the team.
“He’s progressing well. He had a scan yesterday and whatever it is it’s mild. We’re hoping that by the weekend he should be okay.
“We had 11 scorers last week. In years before this we would have been depending one or two forwards doing all the scoring.”
