Fermanagh Junior Football Championship 2016 Preview
All four of these sides can have serious aspirations of capturing the Junior Championship title, the competition itself only started last season which seen Coa defeating Belnaleck in the Final.
Belnaleck were the winners of the last time this competition was in play back in 2009 but with Newtownbutler being relegated from the Intermediate competition in 2015 then it would most likely be the First Fermanagh’s who will go in as favourites for silverware this season.
The Junior competition is a small bit different to the Intermediate and Senior grade with the four sides competing in two first round games before the winning duo then meet in a single semi-final clash. The winner of this semi-final clash will then move forward to the 2016 Junior Championship final, while the aforementioned losing duo in the first round clashes will then play each other before the winner contests a second semi-final with the first semi-final loser. It sounds complicated but believe me as the season progresses it really won’t.
The Belnaleck side this year are under the watchful eye of Kinawley man Cathal Murphy and they won it last in 2009 against Maguiresbridge. That day Belnaleck edged out a dour battle, 0-8 to 1-3 and once again Belnaleck will carry players such as Kane Connor, Mark Gallagher and Ciaran McBrien who all excelled that day into this year’s Competition as well. When you add in further talented players like Che Cullen and the efficient Conor McAuley it is clear to many that Belnaleck have a very good team.
Murphy will admit that the team is strong enough but it’s up to the players to show the hunger and with Ciaran McBrien captaining the side the exciting attacker will certainly have his team fired up out on the pitch.
The Aghadrumsee side have put in a great league showing this year under the watchful eye of Clogher man Aidan McElroy. With Fermanagh forward Eddie Courtney in your team it is clear that Aghadrumsee have a chance and with Noel Beggan at full back, Darren Kearns and Mark Leonard further up the pitch and then scoring forwards such as Courtney, Damien McCarville and Ryan Boyle this Aghadrumsee side certainly have the players to go all the way. They face Newtownbutler in Saturday’s first round tie and it would be of no major surprise if the same sides met once again in the Final.
Brookeborough have had a turbulent season that has resulted in just 2 wins from 18 league games. Development has been slow for a side that has had a few strong showings in recent years at Under-16 and Minor level in Fermanagh. Manager Gerry Boyle will looks to experienced players such as Aidan Boyle, Cathal Moane, Paddy Woods and Sean Breen to drive his side forward.
The younger players in Brookeborough that will be asked to become men rather quickly include the likes of Conor Goodwin, John Goodwin, Josh Kyle and Oisin Murphy. They face Belnaleck in the opening game and if they can get past them then they will have two chances in a semi final clash.
Newtownbutler go in as favourites for this year’s Junior Championship. That’s plain and simply because of their current squad of players that former Fermanagh Under-21 manager Vinny Connolly has at his disposal and also that they finished third in this seasons Division 2 league table.
They were to drop down from the Intermediate grade after defeats to Irvinestown and Enniskillen before losing the relegation final to Maguiresbridge. They have a hugely experienced squad with notable players such as Ryan Carson, Shane Leonard and James Connolly. They also have some fine younger players coming up with the likes of Jamie Flanagan and Gareth Fox already impressing for Fermanagh Minors over the last two seasons. In a four team Championship it is widely expected they should go close.
The Junior Championship starts off this Saturday with a double header in Lisnaskea, it may prove to be a hugely competitive competition to win.
