By Ciaran Woods

c.woods@gaeliclife.com

THE CAPTAIN'S role is a crucial one in any game, but never more than in a championship opener with an away trip. He's the leader, the example to others, the one who leads from the front as his troops go into battle behind enemy lines.

For Cavan captain Mark McKeever though, this weekend's clash with Antrim is going to be very different as he serves out a suspension and must sit frustrated in the stand as his side toil at Casement Park. He'll kick every ball with them inside his mind, he'll most likely go through more anguish than any of the Breffni men out on the playing surface, while all the time he thinks of what might have been.

Speaking to Gaelic Life at this week's Ulster Championship launch, McKeever's eyes were distant when speaking about missing Sunday's clash with the Saffron's. He is cut deep, there's a tone of regret in his voice as he comes to terms with the fact that he will play no part in proceedings once Donal Keogan's men hit the pitch. He will leave the Cavan dressing room with his colleagues, but as they run out onto Casement's turf he'll be climbing the steps to the stand.

"It's extremely disappointing to be missing out. For the last three or four months, everything you do has been gearing towards this one day, this one game. So to miss it is a big blow. Hopefully the boys can win on Sunday and that I'll be back involved for the next round."

Although he will not be taking to the field, McKeever will still have a key role to play in making sure that his county colleagues are ready for the task in hand. He'll travel with them, sit in the dressing room with them, and pass on what words of wisdom he can on the younger players. McKeever must be mentally strong. He's proven his physical strength on countless occasions, but this is going to be a whole different challenge as Padraig Reilly steps in as captain and goes to the middle of the park for the coin toss.

"Everyone is going to be focused and will be up for the game, and hopefully they will be ready for the challenge. I've been part of the team for the past couple of years, so to know that everyone is there and that everyone is behind you is a big boost.

"Hopefully I'll be able to give a few words of advice, have a chat with a few boys and make sure that they're ready for the game. There's a lot of young fella's in that side so hopefully they can go out on the day and do the business."

Antrim are perceived by many as the 'easy' draw in the championship, but McKeever insists that Cavan are not taking anything for granted as they bid to bounce back from the disappointment of relegation just a few weeks ago. Their results don't tell the full story though, McKeever states, and Cavan are determined to show that they're not as bad of a side as they have been made out to be in some quarters this season. What better place to do that than under the glare of the TV cameras at a premier venue like Casement Park. Cavan want to make the headlines for all the right reasons next Monday morning, and the midfielder confidently predicts that will prove to be the case, provided his side play to their full potential.

"We know that Antrim will be very hungry for this, and they'll be going out to put in a big performance. We're not going to stand back though, we've been improving as the season has gone on and although some results didn't go our way our performances weren't all that bad. Only for a few mistakes we would have won those games. We know we're good enough to beat Antrim, but if we don't play the way we can then we're in trouble."

Given the glorious weather of this week and his past experiences at the venue, McKeever is expecting what he calls a "typical match" at Casement Park this Sunday, as the Ulster Championship gets underway. The midfielder is confident that this will not be the Breffni side's only match in the race for the Anglo-Celt cup, and is hopeful Cavan can book their place in the first round proper, with the skipper relishing the thought of a return against Armagh.

"Usually when you go up to Casement Park it always seems to be very hot weather, and it always makes for a great game. This weekend will be no different and I'm expecting a very fast-flowing game of football, hopefully with Cavan coming out on top."