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"Mickey said to us.. die with our boots on" | Madden and Faulkner on Cavan Ulster Title

Cavan were crowned Ulster Champions in Armagh as they bested Donegal by 1-13 to 12 points.  In a...



Football

"Mickey said to us.. die with our boots on" | Madden and Faulkner on Cavan Ulster Title

Cavan were crowned Ulster Champions in Armagh as they bested Donegal by 1-13 to 12 points. 

In a day full of surprises, Cavan relished their underdog status with another against-the-odds victory, this time to take home the Ulster Senior Football Championship.

"It's an incredible feat, but it's incredible even the fact to do it with this group of boys" said goalscorer Conor Madden.

Madden was a substitute in the game but ended up being a vital part of Cavan's win.

"I'm only coming back from injury. I was nearly making a track on the side of the field warming up and down with blood subs, etc. I'm happy to get the goal."

Cavan taste their first Ulster Championship success since 1997.

"We've soldiered through the bad times to be able to get here today. Some of us have been together since minor and under-16 days."

Star full-back Padraig Faulkner shared similar sentiments when speaking to Off the Ball earlier around the years of sacrifice the group has given.

"Five years without a league medal or championship. It's just what we dreamed of. Boyhood dreams."

Do Cavan relish being underdogs?

"To be honest, and no disrespect to those people, we didn't pass any remarks" says Madden. "All I care about is the belief of the 40 lads that's on our panel. The belief after that I couldn't care less" remarked Faulkner.

Faulkner admitted the team treated their underdog status in the right way, almost with a chip on their shoulder.

"We went in with nothing to lose. Donegal 9 finals in 10 years, Cavan 2 finals in 2 years. "The Cavan people this year, with this team believed we were going to win today. People outside the county, we couldn't care what they think. We've proved them wrong today."

But what sparked another comeback? "When we got in there at the last water break, we sort of felt something. Micky said to us 'die with our boots on and go for it'" admitted Madden.

Cavan will now have the challenge of All-Ireland champions Dublin in the semi-finals two weeks' time.

Read more on Cavan's incredible Ulster Championship win here.

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