McCabe rues missed chances as Cavan's campaign ends

Dermot McCabe admitted Cavan's wastefulness in front of goal proved decisive as their All-Ireland Championship campaign came to an end with defeat by Dublin at Kingspan Breffni.

The Breffni men remained firmly in contention after trailing by just a point at half-time, but Dublin pulled away after the interval to secure an 11-point victory, leaving McCabe to reflect on missed opportunities.

"I would have felt we were very much in the battle for the first 45 minutes or so," said McCabe.

"Unfortunately, we had a few wides in a row and a few drop-shorts that probably sucked a bit of the energy out of us.

"Our efficiency in front of goal was lacking. I felt we probably should have been a few points up at half-time, but we just didn't convert."

Cavan's shooting struggles continued throughout the contest despite efforts to improve their shot selection and scoring opportunities.

"We tried to work on ensuring our shooting positions were better because it's been a bit of a difficulty for us this year," he said.

"Our shooting positions were better, but our shots went askew."

Despite the disappointment of another championship exit, McCabe praised the commitment of his players and the backing they received from the home support.

"We had a massive effort level, and we're extremely grateful for the support that came here today," he said.

"We gave them something to shout about for long periods, but we're disappointed that we didn't give them the final 15 minutes that they deserved."

The Cavan manager also pointed to the impact injuries have had on his squad throughout the campaign.

"We've had two lads hospitalised in the last two weeks, and we've had a long injury list throughout the year," he said.

"It's frustrating for the players because they've put in a huge effort and we just didn't get those final pieces to click."

McCabe paid tribute to injured duo Evan Crowe and Gearóid McKiernan, highlighting their continued commitment to the county despite lengthy setbacks.

"Evan has had major surgery on his skull, and to see him here today still pushing the lads on says everything about him," McCabe said.

"Gearóid is making every effort possible to get back playing. The commitment from those lads and the passion they have for Cavan is huge."

The campaign also saw several younger players given opportunities due to injuries and squad rotation, with McCabe believing those experiences will benefit the county in the future.

"We're probably up around eight or nine debutants over the course of the championship," he said.

"Lads like Jensen Tynan and Conor Casey have come in and acquitted themselves very well. There's a pathway there, and that's important."

Attention now turns to preparations for 2027, with McCabe confident there is still considerable potential within the squad.

"I'd be proud of Cavan," he said.

"I think the ceiling within this group is quite high and we're still a long way from reaching it.

"We aim to be a very competitive team and I still believe there's a lot more to come from this group."