And, just like that, they’re back.
Don’t be surprised if you see an influx of cranes into Cavan this week because the boom is very much back for Breffni football.
It was a short recession, the damage was minimal and the good times are here once more.
Cavan will return to Division One football in 2019 after a dramatic last-gasp win over Tipperary who will be sickened that they themselves missed out on successive promotions.
This was @CavanCoBoardGaa's winner from Conor Madden, sparking fantastic celebrations pic.twitter.com/OZjyEFnamU
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) March 25, 2018
Cavan exacted revenge on their conquerors from last year’s championship as they recovered from Conor Sweeney and Liam McGrath goals to beat the ever-rising Munster outfit 0-17 to 2-10 and secure their place along with Roscommon in the top tier.
And, with the game in the melting pot and history on the line, it was substitute Conor Madden who stepped up to the plate to drag his county back off their knees.
It was a cracking score in a classically clutch situation and it brought Breffni Park to its collective feet as the ball was roared all the way between the posts and Cavan’s roar heard back at the highest echelons of the game.
The moment was captured wonderfully by The Irish News’ Cahair O’Kane who was on hand in the 75th minute to bring the untelevised piece of drama to the nation and all the emotion and beauty that went along with it.
This was @CavanCoBoardGaa's winner from Conor Madden, sparking fantastic celebrations pic.twitter.com/OZjyEFnamU
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) March 25, 2018
Tipperary miss out on joining the big boys but, having gained promotion from Division Three last year with their own late smash and grab, what they’ve done already this season is to be commended.
For Cavan and all their recent underage success, the fans have been awaiting it all to spill into senior level.
And maybe just now they can start to dream again.
Some of them are feeling confident enough as it is anyway.
