Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16413 - 01/06/2025 17:43:05    2614066

What a day at Croke Park yesterday, especially with that nail-biting win for our Fermanagh boys! Absolutely buzzing for our Ekn Gaels scoring lads, Conor Love and Jonny Cassidy, with Conor being outstanding, and credit to the whole squad for digging deep in the 2nd half when we really needed it. That result was a massive lift for the team's morale.

That said, I was genuinely surprised by how sparse the crowd was at Croker, and the second game wasn't much better, not what you'd expect for a big day like that with the Dubs and the Orchard men there too. As for that macca999 guy, no sign of him in the stands… though with the match live on GAA+, I'd say the high stool might've won out!

gaalltheway (Fermanagh) - Posts: 807 - 02/06/2025 09:33:31    2614220

Very good results for the lads yesterday, first win in Croker in over 20 years for any men's senior team from Fermanagh.

I thought Fermanagh were a much better team throughout the full 70 mins, first half they just butchered so many good attacking opportunities whilst the first 1-3 Wexford hit were all very preventable, for one reason or another. Donnelly wouldn't have had to say too much at HT other than be a bit more composed in front of goal. Conor Love excellent, really has stepped up this year which is great to see. Really good performances from McGurn, McDade & Cassidy when he came on. Kelm also looks like he will be a handy player in the coming years with another decent cameo, similar attributes to his older brother.

My only issue from yesterday is I don't like how the team concedes uncontested 2 point opportunities. It killed us against Carlow, allowed Wexford to stay in touch yesterday and if we go deep in the comp, the likes of a Kildare or Westmeath will really go to town. I'd like to see the defensive line set up to put pressure on the ball a bit further out.

A home fixture now for QF, surely we can get over the line this year and get to a semi-final. Looks like the lads are starting to hit form coming into the knockouts.

Bailah (Fermanagh) - Posts: 62 - 02/06/2025 09:47:31    2614222

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16413 - 02/06/2025 12:22:17    2614271

Looking forward to playing you in the League next year, we really need to be playing better counties such as yourselves more regularly to help develop our lads, we still have a pretty young panel overall.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16413 - 02/06/2025 12:28:53    2614272

The_Rat (Fermanagh) - Posts: 56 - 02/06/2025 20:53:43    2614427

The_cat (Fermanagh) - Posts: 2 - 05/06/2025 20:25:26    2615204

BigToeJoe (Fermanagh) - Posts: 201 - 06/06/2025 09:18:17    2615247

BigToeJoe (Fermanagh) - Posts: 201 - 06/06/2025 09:25:27    2615250

Great win at the weekend for the team, super to win in Croke Park, first since 2004, hard to believe after league finals v Wicklow, Cavan, Armagh plus qualifier with Kildare.


Second half performance was terrific, used the ball well, moved it fast and used the spaces well in Croke Park. First half just taking too much out of it and maybe going for goal when point was better option. Alot of strong performers, Lee Cullen, Flanagan(great clearance off line), McDade(brilliant block at end too), Largo Ellis, McGullion and O Brien lots of running and impact, McGurn had a good game too and linked with attack more which suits giving his shooting ability, Love gave another exhibition of attacking play, direct and clinical. Johnny Cassidy was excellent when came in , hopefully he be in a position to start in 2 weeks, plus Che Cullen be available again, any idea what injury is?

Thanks the cat for the post, would tend to agree at times some posters comments seem more motivated by opportunity to snipe at a poster then share their entitled opinions and generate healthy discussion on the county team here.(Hopefully your not accused of being me now!:-)

Bigtoe-Joe, fair point and apologies if that case, maybe im too honest or expectations are too high on our county, i accept golden era maybe passed of 2004-2018,, 7 years ago beat Armagh in Ulster and 2 different trajectories of counties since.
Ballah, good point on the 2 pointers, that could be costly against better teams if given that space.

Anyway back to our team, in good position again, home quarter final, puts us in with opportunity to reach semi final which is the minimum target after last 2 years missing out. The week off certainly a bonus after Longfords win v Carlow, gives us chance to recover and get injuries cleared.
Though with other groups standings, some stronger winners coming from the pre liminary games this weekend. Offaly, likely Sligo, potentially Westmeath(though them and Laois always 50/50 game)
Kildare look the standout team, especially with Daryl Flynn in form, after that its very close among alot of teams.

With the Tyrone Cavan game in Brewster Sunday, likely Fermanagh game be Saturday, unless made it double header with 1pm throw in time.

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1184 - 07/06/2025 16:28:29    2615549

Bailah (Fermanagh) - Posts: 62 - 07/06/2025 17:21:34    2615563

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1184 - 07/06/2025 17:42:21    2615569

Long time since I've posted, posters here allways have alot to say about players and management but what about the fermanagh county board. Has there been any serious attempt to promote a senior county game this year? Take today for example..the tailtean Cup draw was this morning, all the participating county's and usual media outlets reported it, fermanagh social pages? Nothing. This evening the date and times were announced for this weekends games, fermanagh social pages again nothing up, is it any wonder nobody's turning up to the fermanagh games. Sligo will probably have as big if not bigger support I'm brewster park this Saturday.

abitawit (Fermanagh) - Posts: 280 - 09/06/2025 22:23:28    2616265

Good bit of interest on the Sligo page on the game, they seem happy enough to draw Fermanagh, especially travelwise.

No 2 games are ever the same, Fermanagh were lucky to get the draw in the league after a spirited fightback, Sligo showed their attacking potency with Quinn, McLoughlin, Mulligan and Niall Murphy all causing harm, their speed really was evident. Hopefully Che Cullen be back to give us some physicality and help close up gaps through middle that Carlow exposed. Sligos attacking play that night was probably best seen during the league campaign.
Luke Flanagan be going for his third game in row which should bring his game even higher level after 2 good performances, while after impressing as sub in Croker Johnny Cassidy should be ready to start and add to our speed in defence.

Midfield is crucial with the new rules, McDade has been Fermanaghs most consistent player this year, McGurn was excellent against Wexford, so hopefully both play to their best and give us enough possession to build from. Sligo have strong presence their with Towey and O Connor, McGullion looked closer to himself in Croker, him and Decky McCusker need to win the vital breaks in Brewster. With McEntee and Kernan involved Sligo will know Fermanagh very well

Other posters have highlighted concern at Fermanagh sitting too deep and allow teams kick unopposed 2 pointers, against this Sligo team, simply cant afford to do this, they are high scoring without gifting them such opportunities. After the Carlow game, Fermanagh would have grabbed this position, there is no doubt this will be a tough battle, second half v Wexford was good, will need that performance for 70 minutes tomorrow, with a high score needed to overcome Sligo. Obviosuly more space in Croke park but we need to keep moving the ball fast, be direct in our running and give the forwards the chance to take on players 1 v 1.
Hopefully we can get past the quarter final hurdle of the Tailteann Cup for the first time.
Aogan Kelm has made an impact last 2 games when introduced, will need him to repeat this plus hopefully Sean Cassidy be ready to come on earlier after a cameo in Croker.

Sligo will travel in good numbers so lets good out in force, outnumber them on our own patch and roar louder as it can make all the difference in such a close encounter.
Best of luck lads.

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1184 - 13/06/2025 17:34:48    2617251

Brilliant result for the lads, really chuffed for them. Was tight at the end there but we managed to hold out against a very good Sligo team. Great to see us get over our QF hoodoo in the competition and another day out in HQ.

Congratulations to the players and management, I look forward to another day out in Croker.

Commiserations Sligo, always had a soft spot for them as a county, some great footballers in their current crop and over the years.

Bailah (Fermanagh) - Posts: 62 - 14/06/2025 19:29:54    2617441

Congratulations to Fermanagh and best of luck in the rest of the cup. Disappointing performance for us but no complaints and the best team on the day won. All the best.

letsgosligo (Sligo) - Posts: 108 - 14/06/2025 23:12:11    2617566

A great result for Fermanagh and I wish them all the best in the draw and semi final next week. Kildare are the team to avoid. Ye had yer homework done to be fair as well as having a goalie who can spot kick. To me that was the difference, it was a poor game though. When I looked back on previous encounters I was surprised actually that Fermanagh had the upper hand, even if it be by ever so slightly.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 550 - 15/06/2025 23:02:49    2617963

Thanks for the best wishes from the Sligo posters.

Great win on Saturday evening,a really important win after a number of near misses for the team in big games(Down in Ulster, Antrim last year).
A good solid team performance, in the first half it looked ominous as every time Sligo attacked they scored at ease, in fairness both teams attacks were well on top in the first half with some great scores.

When Sligo then got the fortunate goal, could have easily folded but credit to Fermanagh hit straight back with a 2point free from Garvan Jones(still dont agree with 2 points for places ball). Fermanagh then dominated midfield for last 15 minutes of the first half with McGurn, McCaffrey and McGurn prominent plus played with hunger that need to win the breaks, which meant Sligos lively forwards were starved and a 5 point lead didnt flatter Fermanaghs dominance.
McNally worked some short kick outs well too which helped in primary possession, while in attack, at times it was slow build up but patient, composed and everyone there could see what trying to do to create space which worked effectively at times.

Sligo were always going to come on strong and pushed it back to 2 points(ref played as long as could) so that was in the melting pot down the stretch. Thankfully umpire denying Fermanagh a clear 45 in second half didnt prove costly as Sligo got a 2 pointer from resulting kickout.

A deserved win for team and management, got the right calls with starting Cassidy and McCaffrey, Fermanagh played with a hunger and an edge that was key in the victory. Lee Cullens intensity on Spillane, Smyths excellent turnover in corner on Murphy good examples of this. Flanagan and Cassidy were excellent, Love was lively in the first half, the knock in second half curtailed his influence. Largo Ellis, McGullion and McCaffrey were very good and all played part in keeping scoreboard ticking over.

Looking ahead, Kildare was the team that everyone wanted to avoid in semi but being honest if going to win it going to have to meet them at some point. Bookies have them at 4/9 Sunday, although the recent game v Wexford in Croker certainly will help the team in being familiar with the pitch. They have 3 huge attacking threats in Flynn, Beirne and Kirwan, with Feely a big influence in the middle sector.
Fermanagh will need to bring that physical edge and intensity on Sunday v the lilywhites, Che Cullen might be drafted in to help match up in physicality. From the league encounter, Kildare dominated around midfield, so McDade and McGurn will need big games, hopefully might be able to work some more effective short kick outs if needed to get primary possession, Kildare will certainly press high though. With Kildares attacking threats, id say few goals will be needed to help get over the line, Garvan Jones will hope to get make more scoring impact from play in Croker than at weekend. On Saturday we had a few unforced errors that gave Sligo some open counter attacks that went unpunished, this cant happen on Sunday
In championship encounters we certainly owe Kildare one after painful post Ulster Final defeats v Kildare in both 2008 and 2018(2008 was a tough watch in Croker!)

A game to look forward to on Sunday, outside of the county nobody will be giving us a chance. Was a great turnout and atmosphere on Saturday in Brewster, which was certainly helped by nearby Sligo bringing good crowd.
Hopefully Fermanagh support travels in good numbers on Sunday.

In terms of attendance probably do well to reach the 12k mark, Kildare likely bring biggest support, 4-5k, Wicklow might travel well, while can see Limerick bringing many as its Hurling for most there.
In this situation think GAA should offer 50 free tickets to every club juveniles teams in participating counties and possibly subsidise transport to help get possibly 3-4 thousand kids into the game, give them a day out and add bit more atmosphere to the day, its a win win.

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1184 - 16/06/2025 18:31:31    2618478

Great summing up, I couldn't agree more with most your take accept your free tickets suggestion. Anyway, that win on Saturday was massive, not just in the result itself but in how it was earned - full of grit, resilience and no shortage of quality football. After so many near misses in the big moments (as you rightly pointed out, Down, Antrim, etc.), this felt like a psychological breakthrough as much as anything.

First half did feel edgy as every Sligo attack looked like it might end in a score, but credit to Fermanagh for weathering the storm, not panicking after the soft goal, and hitting back straight away. That two-point free from Garvan Jones was crucial, regardless of what anyone thinks about the rule. It showed character and settled things again.

Midfield dominance before half-time was the turning point. McGurn, McCaffrey and McNally really stepped up and took control, while McNally's kickouts were smart and composed. The hunger to win the breaks was noticeable with that extra edge we've sometimes lacked in big championship games was there in spades.

Defensively, the big matchups were handled superbly that being the Cullens intensity, Smyth's crucial turnover, and the general shape and discipline of the back six meant Sligo's threats were limited to bursts. And in attack, while not always free flowing, there was a clear intent and method with patience, space creation, and good decision-making at key moments.

You're spot on about Kildare as they're a serious outfit, and no one would pretend otherwise. But to win anything meaningful, you're going to have to go through tough opposition and if we're to get over the line, Fermanagh will need that same physicality and mental edge shown against Sligo and probably even more. A goal or two could be key.

Che Cullen might indeed be a smart addition as physical matchups will be critical, and Kildare's midfield power needs to be disrupted. McDade, McGurn, and others will need to step up again, and hopefully Jones gets more from play this time out. Short kickouts and limiting turnovers will be vital too as we can't afford to gift goals.

On the wider picture, your point on juvenile tickets I something I certainly don't agree with. The GAA is not a charity! If we have genuine Fermanagh GAA supporters then they should be willing to bring our kids along as they would do if they were Man Utd supporters where the tag price is much greater. .

Anyway, roll on Sunday. No one outside Fermanagh is giving us much of a chance which is exactly how we like it. Here's hoping the travelling support and the team brings that same bite and belief. Onward we go!

abc1234 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 411 - 17/06/2025 10:43:28    2618619

Bailah (Fermanagh) - Posts: 62 - 17/06/2025 12:32:24    2618681