New Cavan football manager Michael Graham says he wants to create a positive environment around the team as the Breffni men look to kick on after a disappointing 2018 championship.
The former Cavan player was confirmed as Mattie McGleenan’s successor earlier this week having previously managed his county's minors and has had success at club level in Cavan, winning junior and intermediate titles with Butlersbridge and Drumalee.
He also enjoyed club success with Mullinalaghta in Longford winning back to back senior titles in 2016 and 2017.
Cavan impressed many en route to securing promotion to Division One, but made an early exit to Donegal in Ulster in the preliminary round. Qualifier wins over Wicklow and Down followed before All-Ireland finalists Tyrone ended their interest in 2018.
Graham told 2fm’s Game On that he is looking to implement his own ideas next year.
"You have to play as much attacking football as possible, but it is about getting the balance right," he said. "That’s the thing Cavan have been missing in the last couple of years.
"Terry [Hyland] had started to get that balance right before he moved on. Then Mattie [McGleenan] came in with his philosophy, no more than me and I have my own ideas. The game is evolving every year.
"We are looking to get the balance right between attack and defence."
"We will try to create an environment where lads are enjoying their football again"
With increasingly professional standards applied right around the country, many observers – including former inter-county players – have questioned whether the enjoyment has been sucked out of the game, something Graham is keen to address.
"Football should be a release from the normal’s day work. They should be looking forward to training and playing football, that’s why they started out playing," he said.
"Football has gotten so serious. It seems that teams that aren’t having any success that the enjoyment is gone out of it.
"We will try to create an environment where lads are enjoying their football again."
