In the shadow of finals weekend, it’s the so-called smaller teams doing the hard work through the back-door and in the qualifiers.
Roscommon and Cavan cannot exactly be categorised as counties that do not carry a threat and their familiarity of one another makes this one of the most anticipated games of the weekend.
The sides meet for the fifth time in as little as 18 months and the meetings, spanning across both league and championship, have been eventful to say the least.
Cavan v Roscommon is live on Off The Ball this evening with commentary by Oisin Langan, Billy Joe Padden and Kevin Cassidy.
2014 saw Roscommon run out nine-point winners over their counterparts, an indication of just how the gulf in class between the two sides. 2015, on the other hand, is a decidedly different proposition.
Cavan were edged ever so slightly by Monaghan in the quarter-final of the Ulster championship at the end of May and have since handed down their own retribution on championship whipping boys, London.
Conversely, Roscommon were dumped out by Sligo in a game where many felt they took their opponents for granted. A harsh lesson, but perhaps a necessary one at this early stage.
John Evans said this was a team that before long would be challenging for All-Ireland titles and were given a stark reminder of that step up by a well-drilled Sligo outfit, not to mention the free-scoring Adrian Marren.
Both have enjoyed huge success at minor and U21 level, but for two sides hoping to dine at football’s top table, that success has not translated to senior level.
The pair met in the league this year, with a 1-11 to 0-14 draw in Kiltoom in Round 1 of Division II, an indication that these two are more evenly matched than ever before.
Roscommon will look to forward Ciaráin Murtagh to lead the charge and eradicate the poor shooting that cost them dearly against Sligo.
Cavan, on the other hand, will look to build on their progress after a shooting exhibition against London and an impressive 15-point tally against Monaghan.
Evans’ side enter the game slight favourites with most bookmakers and the question remains; will Cavan come up just short once again?
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