McGuigan ready to take Breffni chance

Ulster SFC Quarter-Final

That was always the traditional route but if anything, is even more important in the contemporary game, where learning best practice in training, diet and every other aspect of life as an elite sportsman is deemed vital to success.

Of course you always have to keep an eye out for the raw talent that might flourish when introduced to a top flight senior set-up. A late bloomer akin to Brian Lohan, who wasn’t good enough for Clare’s minor or U21 hurlers, but went on to be considered one of the best full-backs of all time.

Eoin McGuigan is a long way off such exalted status but the law student from Belturbet is just delighted to be making his championship debut against Fermanagh at a relatively late stage in the career of the modern footballer.

It seems ridiculous to say that about a 26-year-old but such is the landscape of the modern game.

Eight years after making up the numbers with Cavan’s minors, McGuigan is finally having an impact.

“I was delighted to get the opportunity this year,” said McGuigan. “And when I got it I was going to make sure that I was going to take it.”

McGuigan is one of six players making their Ulster championship debut, Fintan Reilly, Tomas Corr, Alan Clarke, David Givney, Michael Brennan and former Dub Gareth ‘Nesty’ Smith complete the sextet.

“Being from Belturbert I am only a couple of miles from the border and a couple of miles from Teemore so there would be good banter. My dad would have relations around Lisnaskee so it is good craic. Hopefully we can disappoint a few Fermanagh people.”