Parting shot for Cavan footballers from outgoing boss Keogan

OUTGOING Cavan manager Donal Keogan has slammed his former players who he claimed “wanted the trappings of an intercounty footballer, but weren’t prepared to put the effort in.”

Keogan quit as Breffni boss after their one points defeat to Kildare in an All-Ireland qualifier on Saturday.

He fired: “I was fed up with the players’ attitude. A lot of them wanted the trappings of an intercounty footballer, but they weren’t prepared to put the effort in and work.

“A lot of the Cavan players — though not all of them — have serious attitude problems.

“The ability in the squad is unquestionable, but they don’t want it enough. It doesn’t hurt them enough when they lose.

Keogan revealed: “After we beat Antrim in the Ulster Championship, about 90% of our fellas exchanged shirts.

“What does that say about the Cavan jersey? They didn’t have enough pride in it.

“The problem with some of these fellas is they think they know it all.

“I don’t know what happens to some players in this county after they leave minor level.

“If you want to achieve success, you have to work for it in any walk of life.

“I would tell the players this, but I just couldn’t get through to them, so the buck stops with me.

“I’m the manager and I can’t say I improved Cavan in the two years I was there. They are around the same level now to where we were when I took the job and that is the most frustrating aspect of it,” he added.