Fermanagh travelled to the Buncrana Cup in Ballyshannon on Saturday to play Donegal and Tyrone in the first group stages of the competition. Although the results were to go against the lads on the day, they should come home reflecting on a number of very good reference points for themselves. They lost out to Tyrone in the first game on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-7, having held a two point lead at the break. They would look back ruefully at quite a number of missed opportunities in the first period in particular, although they did carry the ball very intelligently into the wind in the second half. Tyrone just managed to convert their chances a bit more clinically with the wind to take the result. The lads had a very quick turnaround to be back on the pitch against Donegal, and again, they played well in the first half, to come in level at half time on a 1-2 to 0-5 scoreline. Ten minutes into the second half, they were still level, but Donegal were too strong as the Fermanagh lads tired, and they took a 1-8 to 1-3 victory. Donegal qualified as overall group winners with a good win over Tyrone as well. The Fermanagh lads also played two other development matches to ensure that all squad members had proper game time and exposure to the level, but despite reasonable patches of possession they were noticeably less able to hold the ball, and were punished on a number of occasions after turnovers in the opposition half. The two development matches probably showed the depth of talent available to the likes of Tyrone and Donegal. Fermanagh don’t have quite the same amount of players to choose from, but the players on duty on Saturday acquitted themselves well, showing that they should face such opponents with every positivity in the future.
In the Buncrana matches played, there were particularly strong efforts from Seanie Mahon, Gavin McGovern, Seamie Moane, Callum Jones, Oisin Smyth and Luke Flanagan in a good overall team effort. Conor McGovern was a very reliable and safe keeper for the team also. In the Development matches, players like Anthony McElroy, James Tormey, Brian Ryder, Sean McDermott and Ethan Beresford impressed with some good use of the ball.
The mentors on the day were Brendan Rasdale, Conor Doherty, Sean Bradley, and Eddie O’Reilly. Sean Bradley said, “The lads were clearly capable of going at it properly against two top sides, and we now know that we can definitely go at least fifty–fifty against such teams in terms of possession. They are trying hard to stick to our messages from training sessions, particularly in relation to ball retention, defensive organisation and workrate off the ball.” Eddie O’Reilly commented further, “For me, the next step is to be more clinical when we are in possession: cut down on turnovers, and maximise the return when we have brought the ball up the pitch so well. They have a good attitude, and they can make a bit more progress, I think.”
The team breaks now for exams, and the next phase of the competition is at the end of June.
The Fermanagh lads who travelled were:
Aughdrumsee: Martin O’Hara. Belcoo: Conor McAloon. Belnaleck: Conor McGovern, Frank Rafferty, Fergal Keenan. Brookeborough: Seamus Moane, Martin Conwell. Derrygonnelly: Gavin McGovern, Oisin Smyth, Darragh McGrath, Debhan McGovern. Derrylin: Luke Flanagan, Jake Smith, Declan McGovern. Devenish: Oisin Woods, Rian Cullen. Ederney St. Joseph’s: Pol McKervey, Sean Cassidy, Luke Harron, David McKenna, John Kerrigan. Enniskillen Gaels: Callum Jones, Matthew McAleer, Ethan Beresford. Erne Gaels: Brian Ryder. Irvinestown: Seanie Mahon, Maguiresbridge: Anthony McElroy, Newtownbutler: Conor Quinn, Jordan Warren, Sean McDermott. St. Patrick’s: Jimmy Tormey. Teemore: Nathan McAdam, Liam Donohue.
Thanks to Brendan Rasdale for the report
