Cavanagh: Back door the way

TYRONE’S Sean Cavanagh admits he would sacrifice the prospect of winning another provincial title to take a detour through the championship’s back door.

Many a player and manager has praised the combative advantages of the qualifiers but Cavanagh’s admission is among the starkest evidence yet of the provincial championships’ diminishing allure for teams with an eye to September.

This year’s championship has only emphasised the shift in power from front door to back with a largely forgettable programme of games in the provinces being trumped by some superb Saturday night entertainment in the shadow competition.