Gavin Cummiskey talks to Martin McElkennon as he prepares his Cavan team to face Mayo

Martin McElkennon has a good one for the superstitious types. Two years ago he was part of the Dominic Corrigan management team that guided Fermanagh to the All-Ireland quarter-final, when they beat all the teams Cavan have overcome this year.

For good measure, Tyrone inflicted heavy defeats on Fermanagh back then, and Cavan this time.

Fermanagh beat Mayo that year and Cavan are planning to complete the chain on Saturday in Dr Hyde Park.

Only it is not McElkennon's Cavan. It is Eamonn Coleman's. The former Derry manager, of 1993 All-Ireland winning fame, left his number two in command last April after being struck down with a rare strain of pneumonia.

Thrown in at the deep end, the man from Cookstown in county Tyrone has done a commendable job.

Word is already out about his abilities up north - when Coleman and Corrigan seek your expertise you have something special - and if Cavan beat Mayo he will automatically become a household name down south. Also, he'll become the story of the summer.

"It's been a roller-coaster year. We lost Eamonn a few months ago and to say it had a strained effect on everyone is an understatement. Although more than anyone it was the players that responded," says McElkennon.

There were enough survivors from the Ulster title-winning year of 1997 to help McElkennon carry the load. Brothers Peter and Larry Reilly, Dermot McCabe, Jason O'Reilly and Anthony Forde are all still around.

They've been putting it up to everyone since that summer without ever building on the breakthrough. Instead, they have become a springboard for others - see the extra-time dogfight with Derry in Celtic Park last summer that generated enough momentum for their opponents to make an All-Ireland semi-final.

After six games this time around - Mayo have played two - is it finally their turn? McElkennon takes a deep breath before giving you a breakdown on the story so far. A shaky opening draw with Antrim before dealing with them in the replay; let Tyrone off the hook before being stuffed; then showed remarkable grit to beat Donegal and Meath.

"That's six games played when we have won three, drawn two and only lost one. Tyrone have played five, won two, drawn two and lost one," he says.

So what was the key moment? "After being convincingly beaten by Tyrone in the replay the players took responsibility there and then. The management left them alone in the dressingroom and some harsh words were spoken. Several lads spoke. It showed we had a great team spirit still in place."

After beating Meath two weeks back to make it this far the players let off some steam. Not much, but enough.

"They are a level-headed, mature bunch of lads," says McElkennon. "After Meath, they all went for a couple of pints as a team. I encouraged it and it was only two pints. Thirty lads together for two hours really impressed me, with no lads going their separate ways."

He talks to Coleman regularly. The manager has been unable to even come to any training sessions since April 16th, but that doesn't mean McElkennon can't pick his vast football brain.

"When Eamonn went to Derry (for the second stint) he took me with him and then again to Cavan. Without Eamonn Coleman I wouldn't be here. We still chat about the team's progress and, with the help of God, he will be well soon."

Considering all the circumstances, Cavan and McElkennon are in a no-lose situation. This season's goals have already been achieved and after what they have been through already, Mayo don't hold any fear.

"We set out to make the under-21 Ulster final and did so by beating the All-Ireland champions Armagh and then Monaghan at home in Clones. We only lost to Down. Then we wanted to make the top 12 and here we are.

"I know we're not going to win the All-Ireland title, but this is something to build on. Really, it is all a bonus and the lads are training and talking that way.

"There has not been a run like this since 1997 or, for some, 1996 when the under-21s beat Meath in Dr Hyde Park to make the All-Ireland final (they lost to Kerry).

"We have made it this far without anyone really noticing us.

"Mayo may have been All-Ireland finalists from last year, but all the pressure is on them."

Ulster quarter-final: Cavan 0-11 Antrim 0-11

Replay: Cavan 1-15 Antrim 2-3 (replay)

Ulster semi-final: Cavan 1-7 Tyrone 0-10 Replay: Tyrone 3-19 Cavan 0-7

Qualifiers rd 2: Cavan 1-11 Donegal 1-10

Qualifiers rd 3: Cavan 1-8 Meath 1-6 Total: played 6, won 3, drew 2, Lost 1