Fermanagh Academy Squads Working Hard
Fermanagh U15 completed their season with an Ulster Blitz on Saturday where they hosted Monaghan, Cavan and Armagh. This squad has been working hard since March, with a lot of promising talent showing well and taking on board what coaches were telling them. Due to club U16 Championship at semi-final stages and leagues ongoing there were a number of players missing for the blitz which impacted on the squad.
Fermanagh’s first game against Cavan finished 0-04 to 1-06 in favour of Cavan, the Fermanagh boys were slow to get up to the pace of Inter-county football, however two frees from Oisin Jackson settled them and they started to win possession and build well from the back. The short 15 minute half’s meant that players hadn’t much time adjust. Players showed well was Teemore Aaron McManus and Maguiresbridge Luca McCusker scoring from open play.
The second match showed a marked improvement finishing in a draw Fermanagh 3-5 v Armagh 2-8. Players were getting up to speed with the intensity of the games but shot selection was letting them down some what, Fermanagh manage to get a goal thanks to Matthew McMahon Roslea and Devenish’s Ordhran Flanagan followed this up with a well taken point before the half. Half-time score Fermanagh 1-01 Armagh 2-05 which seen Armagh have a purple patch scoring two goals and 2points in the last five minutes of the half. The second half performance the Erne boys score two goals and four points till Armagh’s three points. Points from Eoin McCabe, McCusker & Flanagan before McCusker made himself available this time to send the ball to the back of the net after a well worked move starting from Peter Rafferty turning the ball over in defence. The Erne players finished strong with a third goal from Ben Kettles and the last point of the game to level it from Flanagan. The Orchard County only managed to tag on three points in the second half and struggled to deal with the strong running from half back line from the likes of Josh Largo Elis, Zak Kyle, Padian & Rafferty producing strong performances.
Fermanagh’s last match was against Monaghan who came out on top, winning by 1-02. Jack Largo Elis got the team on the mark with a well taken free which was Fermanagh only score in the 10 minute half against Monaghans 1-03. The second period of 10 minutes Eoin McCabe scored a goal and a point with McCusker and Jackson tagging on points to bring the final score Fermanagh 1-04 Monaghan 2-06.
The U15s Coaches Stephen Jackson and Cyril Dunne was happy about the effort the players had put in being mindful of their busy schedule at club u16. There has been a marked improvement from these lads starting back in March, Dunne had said “the lads have shown great character and attitude to apply themselves to what been asked – we’ve found leaders stepping up and lads taking onboard what’s been asked of them”.
The County Games Manager Teresa McNabb thanked Stephen Jackson, Cyril Dunne, Liam McDermott and Emmett Conlon for working with the squad and developing them along the way.
Fermanagh U13 & U14 Regional Development
Clubs have been asked to forward players names who are eligible for Fermanagh U13 (2003 born) & U14 (2002 born) Regional Development Academy.
There will be 5 Regions- Derrygonnelly, Donagh, Derrylin, Enniskillen & Irvinestown.
Schedule for the Regional Development Programme:
Regional session Sat 17th 10:30am (Tue 20th)
Regional session Sat 24th
Regional session Sat 1st Oct
Internal games v Regionals @ Lissan Sat 8th Oct
Inter-County Challenge Sat 15th Oct
Ulster Blitz Sat 22nd Oct
First session is to take place this Saturday 17th at 10:30am out in the four regions with Enniskillen region going on Tuesday 20th.
Clubs please forward names to Gdm.fermanagh@gaa.ie
