Cavan's under-age success is now bearing fruit on the senior stage, according to Dessie Dolan.
The 2004 All Star from Westmeath has been impressed with their form as they won promotion to the Allianz League Division 1.
The Breffni County won four Ulster Under 21 titles from 2011-2014 and the RTÉ analyst predicts that they can present Tyrone, who finished top of the Division 2 table, a tough test in Sunday’s final at Croke Park (1.30pm)
“This Cavan team under Terry Hyland have really made an impressive start this year,” Dolan told RTÉ Sport.
“The fact that they won the four Under 21s, you’re starting to see all these players coming through.
“Gearoid McKernan, Killian Clarke, Seanie Johnston have transformed this team from a really tough defensive team to a team that scored eight goals and 102 points this year.
“So I really fancy Cavan to give a good performance.”
Standing in Cavan’s way is Tyrone, who won by two points in the regular season tie in Omagh.
“So I really fancy Cavan to give a good performance"
Dolan said: “On the other hand, Mickey Harte was in Croke Park this week telling us he’s developed a new team.
“But he still will need to rely on Sean Cavanagh, who’s playing his 100th appearance in the league and 220 in total. It’s incredible how much he has served this county.
“Mickey Harte certainly has a really good team and great players like Mattie Donnelly, Peter Harte, Tiernan McCann all coming back into the fold.”
