ULSTER UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP
MONAGHAN V FERMANAGH
WED MARCH 16TH, INNISKEEN @ 8PM
You would have to go back to 2009 since Fermanagh last won a game in the Ulster Under-21 championship and this coming Wednesday night in Inniskeen Pete McGrath will look to change the Ernesiders fortunes against a fancied Monaghan side who are as short as 1/12 in some bookmakers.
That day Monaghan led 1-6 to 0-1 after just 15 minutes but Fermanagh were to come back into the game and sensationally won, 1-7 to 1-6.
Monaghan under the guidance of former Tyrone player Ciaran ‘Dinky’ McBride have by and large stuck with the same players that won the Farney County a first Ulster MFC title in 2013 since 1945.
McBride was trainer 3 years ago for the Monaghan minors and the Omagh CBS school teacher brings the usual steely determination that is required at this level.
The Monaghan team made the final of this years Shamrock Cup before going down to Tyrone but did defeat Louth and Antrim in the group stages, either side of the group defeat to their neighbours Tyrone.
Adam Treanor has been in prolific form for McBride’s side this season, while senior panellists such as Barry McGinn, Ryan McAnespie and Conor McCarthy will all be crucial to the Monaghan side on Wednesday night.
3 years ago Monaghan defeated Tyrone in the Ulster MFC Final on a scoreline of 4-10 to 2-14, that day Monaghan came back with 2 minutes to go and 2 points adrift to reign in the Tyrone side with a personal haul of 2-5 for Fergal McMahon giving him the man of the match award.
Fast forward 3 years on and still players like Barry McGinn, Adam Treanor and Donal Meegan are all influential players and will give the Fermanagh side serious problems if allowed.
Monaghan may have lost to Tyrone in this years Shamrock Cup Final, 0-16 to 0-10 but with a strong breeze Monaghan impressed that day leading 0-9 to 0-5 before Tyrone took over in a wind-assisted second half.
So what of Fermanagh, they have played a number of games this year already and in truth be told the under-21 side has probably never been better organised and trained than this one. The last two seasons it was rather hope more than anything as we went to Ballybofey and Omagh but came away with losses each time, 2014 v Donegal 3-10 to 0-6 and 2015 v Tyrone 0-17 to 0-7.
You would have to go back to 2001 when we last made a U21 final and 1994 for when we last won this competition.
Fermanagh have some quality footballers with the likes of Cian McManus (pictured), Patrick Reihill and Sean Keenan all top rated footballers.
If Fermanagh can keep it tight at the back, done concede needless frees for Barry McGinn to convert and if players like Keenan, Teague and McAuley can bring their scoring boots then odds of 6/1 might just be too big.
The best of luck to the Fermanagh lads.
