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Preview: Allianz FL D1 - Tyrone v Cavan

Round Three of Division I of the Allianz Football Leagues sees Tyrone host Cavan on Sunday in Healy Park, Omagh (throw-in 2.30pm). Ahead of the game, Tyrone forward Darren McCurry has been talking to GAA.ie about the rivalry between the sides that has been evident when Cavan recently defeated Tyrone in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup. Juveniles (Under 16 Years of Age) are FREE admission for the game, while adult tickets are €12.00 if purchased before matchday. Match-Day Prices are Adult €15.00, while concessions (Student/OAP) are €12.00 and available at the venue on matchday with valid I.D. Tickets are available for purchase in selected SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide; full details of which shops apply can be found at http://www.gaa.ie/tickets/where-to-buy/

Sunday February 26

Allianz Football League Division One

Tyrone v Cavan, Healy Park, Omagh, 2.30pm

A fortnight ago in Castleblayney, Cavan earned a point, but they made one also.

It wasn't an epic, but the fact that Cavan hit two scores in the closing stages to secure a draw offers encouragement. While Monaghan were 0-7 to 0-5 ahead with 22 minutes remaining, Cavan battled back.

Monaghan didn't score during that period, while Conor Madden and Gearoid McKieran struck important efforts for Cavan. Former Tyrone star Mattie McGleenan brings his developing Cavan team to Healy Park for what promises to be a revealing encounter.

"Seven points is nowhere near going to be good enough to do anything against Tyrone this Sunday," Mattie McGleenan said during the week.

"We have a lot of work to do in terms of breaking down their defence. We have to hit 13, 14 scores if we want to win this game.”

In the first round of the Dr McKenna Cup Cavan defeated Tyrone, which was a notable result even though the Red Hands subsequently went on to win the competition for the sixth year on the spin.

Sean Cavanagh, though, saw enough in that Cavan display to suggest Sunday's match - a repeat of the 2016 Allianz Football League Division Two decider - will be demanding. "It was a Tyrone team there were beaten by Cavan, you have to take it on the chin," Cavanagh stated.

"We didn't perform. You could see the Cavan guys, even though it was only early January, they were buzzing.

"They really took an awful lot out of that game. We have to be ready for them because we know they're a tough proposition on their day."

Tyrone, who came within a whisker of ending Dublin's two year League and Championship record, will be encouraged by Peter Harte and Niall Sludden's form.

Conor Meyler excelled for St Mary's Belfast in last weekend's Independent.ie Sigerson Cup too alongside Cathal McShane and Conall McCann.

TYRONE: Mickey O'Neill; Padraig Hampsey, Ronan McNamee, Cathal McCarron; Tiernan McCann, Justin McMahon, Aidan McCrory; Colm Cavanagh, Declan McClure; Conor Meyler, Niall Sludden, Peter Harte; Darren McCurry, Cathal McShane, Ronan O'Neill.

CAVAN: James Farrelly; Fergal Reilly, Padraig Faulkner, Killian Brady; Ciaran Beady, Martin Reilly, Rory Dunne; Killian Clarke, Tomas Corr; Dara McVeety, Niall Clerkin, Gerard Smith; Niall McDermott, Gearoid McKiernan, Seanie Johnston.