|
Replying To Bailah: "Two great posts from recent posters there. Question I would like to add in is does anyone know how far away Horan is? Seen he was listed on the bench at the weekend there.
We talk about physical presence in the midfield and Horan is one of those players who would benefit hugely in the new rules as his fielding is excellent. Would be a big plus to have him back playing minutes at the weekend but could be a bit early." Yes Horan was doing fair warm up during games last week in Brewster, would think he be able for maybe a 10/15 minute sub role. We are limited in midfield options if any of the starters get knocks, so be good to have that option Sunday
macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1184 - 20/06/2025 11:53:02
2619437
Link
0
|
|
Replying To macca999: "Yes Horan was doing fair warm up during games last week in Brewster, would think he be able for maybe a 10/15 minute sub role. We are limited in midfield options if any of the starters get knocks, so be good to have that option Sunday" Talking silly again! No surprise there. I'd have to disagree on Horan being ready for any sort of game time this Sunday. Yes, he was doing some light warm-up drills in Brewster last week, but let's be realistic that's a far cry from being match-fit, especially for inter-county intensity. There's a big difference between going through the motions on the sideline and being physically and mentally prepared for the pace and physicality of a championship game, and this one is big and crucial one too!. Rushing him back for a 10-15 minute piece, especially when he hasn't had any real minutes under his belt in weeks, is too risky. We might be limited in midfield, sure, but plugging a hole with someone not fully ready could hurt us more than help. There's a balance to be struck between managing injuries and managing desperation, and in this case, I think caution is the wiser move.
TurnipHead. (Fermanagh) - Posts: 254 - 20/06/2025 13:36:18
2619463
Link
2
|
|
Disappointing end to the season. Will start by thanking all involved management, background team and players. It takes a lot of time and commitment involved. It is a lot easier to write and criticize but it is not us who have to train all year and play through injuries.
If i had to rate this season would give it a generous 5/10. Glad to stay in division 3 but thought we could have got pushed harder for promotion. Another year in division 3 will do the young lads no harm they ain't ready for division 2. Think was the 1st time for some of them lads experiencing playing in in croke park also winning there. We had some poor results/performances mainly the carlow game. We had a bit of a run in the tailitann cup.
Think the best game we played this year was against down and were unlucky to lose that game. Do I think we have improved this year as a team No, some individual players have improved. If Donnelly says i will back him but personally think it is time to go.
As for the new rules they have been a success bit confusing at times would still get rid of the black card and the mark.
ERNEDEVIL (Fermanagh) - Posts: 75 - 22/06/2025 23:42:39
2620060
Link
0
|
|
While paying respect to the Fermanagh team setup, I particularly want to acknowledge the unpaid players for the level of commitment required, training all year, juggling work or study and personal and social life, while sometimes suffering injuries, all often goes unnoticed and underappreciated. Having said all that, was it a disappointing end to the season? Absolutely, particularly that second half performance, yesterday. There's no glossing over that. During the game, where was the support upfront for Conor Love? What happen that we ended up with little resulting scores. Why was the 2nd half goal opportunity missed? And as for the many kickouts, well enough said!
So, as the intercounty season ends, it's another year in Division 3. As for whether we've improved as a team, that's debatable. Although, there were flashes of progress, and certain individuals have certainly stepped up. But has the squad as a whole moved forward? That's harder to argue. On the topic of Kieran Donnelly, I'll understand the calls for change. Sometimes a new voice or fresh approach is what's needed to take the next step. It's a tough decision, and not one to be made lightly but I think the writing is now clearly on the wall.
AuldGussie (Fermanagh) - Posts: 98 - 23/06/2025 09:47:36
2620124
Link
0
|
|
Was there some unpleasantries exchanged in the Fermanagh camp afterwards?
Coa_gael (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1186 - 23/06/2025 10:01:51
2620136
Link
0
|
|
Hard luck to team and management yesterday. Just simply did not get going in the 2nd half at all, with all our big players either not performing to their highest level (which needed against a very good Kildare side) or were completely nullified.
Think the weather really affected Fermanagh, we were going well until the first downpour and it really killed any momentum. Couple of great scores in the first half from Love and it was an even contest.
2nd half was just a disaster. Couldn't get a grip in midfield, which is key, and if we managed to retrieve a break we coughed up too easily again in the tackle. Kildare should have been gone by mid way through the half. They weren't, but the missed free to make it 12-10 I think knocked the stuffing out of Fermanagh as that was the only time in the half there seemed to be a bit of momentum going our way. If it went over I feel match would have ended much tighter.
McLoughlin the difference maker, Kildare weren't impressive at all and this final isn't a straight forward shout, but best of luck to them.
As for Donnelly, don't know. Who comes in for him if he does go?
Bailah (Fermanagh) - Posts: 62 - 23/06/2025 18:59:48
2620487
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Coa_gael: "Was there some unpleasantries exchanged in the Fermanagh camp afterwards?" Did involve a seasoned player? If so, he has history of it!
The_Rat (Fermanagh) - Posts: 56 - 23/06/2025 19:44:41
2620492
Link
0
|
|
A disappointing end to the season with Sundays second half collapse, the saving grace is that Kildare didnt bring their shooting boots as easily could have been similar result to the 15 league defeat.
The frustrating thing was that Fermanagh could have still put bit of pressure on them with 15 minutes to go but but failed to test the fragile lillies in the final stretch. O Briens free against post was a chance, although noted we naively hadnt a player within 30 metres of the goals as he took it, so no mane ready for rebound, while Largo Ellis maybe had option to handpass to Cassidy who with goal would have brought it back to one. Jones unlikely to have been happy at all going off at half time, though fair call given first half performance though highlighted lack of free takers we have.
The first have was decent, Fermanagh started really well, sharp, direct in possession 2 good scores and competing in midfield, unlucky to concede 2 pointer as McNally clearly touched that first score. Lucky to escape with clean sheet early on with the crossbar and a fantastic Lee Cullen block, after that storm probably shaded possession but still 7-6 down after some missed opportunities.
Within 2 minutes of the second half the team looked, flat, lethargic and seemed to play with a fear and poor decisions, making the outcome inevitable.. There is no doubt conditions didnt help and made short kick outs more difficult to work as Kildare had the physical edge in middle but its the same for both teams and our best 25 minutes of football this year came against Down at a rain soaked Brewster Park.
Looking back on the season, the highlights certainly the emergence of Love and McDade as key players, while Luke Flanagan certainly has made impact on return plus McGurn getting run of games injury free been a positive.
Didnt hear anything about unpleasantries, hopefully not true, im sure passion high and some players unhappy, which can be natural after such a result. Che Cullen certainly deserved more time on Sunday, could have even put him in middle to help win some ball as we struggled physically.
Listening to Donnelly after i wouldnt be surprised if stays, in that case id certainly suggest adds new member to backroom team to keep it fresh.
Agree with Bailah, certainly no queue of potential replacements, especially in the county.
Early to look ahead to next year, likely McCusker will retire, Lyons and Cullens could follow which be tough to replace. Division 3 be tough with a flying Down team, Westmeath, Clare,Limerick and Sligo all to navigate, any promotion bid be hard earned.
The return hopefully of Callum Jones, McShea and Tiarnan Bogue are needed, a fit Ultan Kelm, perhaps Stephen McGullion now that home plus need 3/4 other players to step up and add to the county team. In terms of leaders McGurn, Cassidy and McDade look best place in a very young team.
As a county the bigger picture ccant be ignored when reviewing the county team, our underae teams continue to struggle, so this will always make senior success even more challenging
macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1184 - 25/06/2025 18:34:32
2621061
Link
1
|
|
Replying To macca999: "A disappointing end to the season with Sundays second half collapse, the saving grace is that Kildare didnt bring their shooting boots as easily could have been similar result to the 15 league defeat.
The frustrating thing was that Fermanagh could have still put bit of pressure on them with 15 minutes to go but but failed to test the fragile lillies in the final stretch. O Briens free against post was a chance, although noted we naively hadnt a player within 30 metres of the goals as he took it, so no mane ready for rebound, while Largo Ellis maybe had option to handpass to Cassidy who with goal would have brought it back to one. Jones unlikely to have been happy at all going off at half time, though fair call given first half performance though highlighted lack of free takers we have.
The first have was decent, Fermanagh started really well, sharp, direct in possession 2 good scores and competing in midfield, unlucky to concede 2 pointer as McNally clearly touched that first score. Lucky to escape with clean sheet early on with the crossbar and a fantastic Lee Cullen block, after that storm probably shaded possession but still 7-6 down after some missed opportunities.
Within 2 minutes of the second half the team looked, flat, lethargic and seemed to play with a fear and poor decisions, making the outcome inevitable.. There is no doubt conditions didnt help and made short kick outs more difficult to work as Kildare had the physical edge in middle but its the same for both teams and our best 25 minutes of football this year came against Down at a rain soaked Brewster Park.
Looking back on the season, the highlights certainly the emergence of Love and McDade as key players, while Luke Flanagan certainly has made impact on return plus McGurn getting run of games injury free been a positive.
Didnt hear anything about unpleasantries, hopefully not true, im sure passion high and some players unhappy, which can be natural after such a result. Che Cullen certainly deserved more time on Sunday, could have even put him in middle to help win some ball as we struggled physically.
Listening to Donnelly after i wouldnt be surprised if stays, in that case id certainly suggest adds new member to backroom team to keep it fresh.
Agree with Bailah, certainly no queue of potential replacements, especially in the county.
Early to look ahead to next year, likely McCusker will retire, Lyons and Cullens could follow which be tough to replace. Division 3 be tough with a flying Down team, Westmeath, Clare,Limerick and Sligo all to navigate, any promotion bid be hard earned.
The return hopefully of Callum Jones, McShea and Tiarnan Bogue are needed, a fit Ultan Kelm, perhaps Stephen McGullion now that home plus need 3/4 other players to step up and add to the county team. In terms of leaders McGurn, Cassidy and McDade look best place in a very young team.
As a county the bigger picture ccant be ignored when reviewing the county team, our underae teams continue to struggle, so this will always make senior success even more challenging" I rarely pen a comment, but having read your take on the game, the team players and manager, I must strongly disagree with the idea that Sunday's result amounts to a "disappointing end to the season." That's an overly harsh and narrow interpretation of a game, and indeed, a campaign, that showed both growth and glimpses of real progress. Let's look at the fuller picture.
Yes, the second half against Kildare lacked bite and composure, but to call it a "collapse" doesn't reflect the reality on the pitch. The truth is that Fermanagh competed for long stretches and were still well in the game late into the second half. This wasn't some capitulation, we were within a score or two with 10-15 minutes to go, and small margins (the O'Brien free hitting the post, the missed pass to Cassidy) made the difference. Fine margins do not equal failure.
Moreover, the suggestion that we were "lucky" Kildare didn't bring their shooting boots could be flipped entirely. It discounts the serious defensive effort that kept them from doing so. Cullen's block wasn't luck, it was commitment. The clean sheet early on was earned, not gifted.
The criticism of the second-half decision-making and flatness ignores the conditions, yes, but more importantly, the reality of a young and still-developing squad coming up against a more physically imposing side. Yet we didn't fold. We weren't outclassed, we were out-muscled, occasionally out-thought, but not out-hearted.
And that's the key point: this team has heart. Look at the positives: the rise of Love and McDade, the return of Flanagan, McGurn's injury-free run, and the leadership emerging in Cassidy and McDade. Those aren't scraps, they're serious foundations. This season was never about silverware, it was about building, and the building is very much underway.
Also, dismissing hopes for next season because of possible retirements and underage struggles overlooks the clear pipeline of returnees, Jones, McShea, Bogue, Kelm, McGullion. These aren't just bodies, they're difference-makers. A fresh squad with a hardened core and a chip on its shoulder? That's a Division 3 contender, not a crisis.
So no, this was not a disappointing end. It was a hard-earned lesson, yes, but one from which a tougher, unified, and talented Fermanagh team can emerge. And that's not just optimism, it's evidence-based faith in a project still in motion.
Also, you say you didn't hear anything about unpleasantries and hope it's not true, but I can tell you otherwise. If the Coa Gael highlighted it, I'd take that seriously. He's rarely off the mark when it comes to what's going on behind the scenes, and he tends to be well-informed. Passion and frustration after a tough result are natural, yes, but let's not pretend everything was smooth just because it wasn't widely reported. Where there's smoke, there's usually fire, and in this case, I'd trust the source.
Even the manager's future is framed with undue pessimism. I have to disagree on the idea that Donnelly staying requires a new backroom member to "keep it fresh" that implies things have gone stale, which frankly doesn't hold up. Under Donnelly, Fermanagh have shown measurable progress: developing younger players, holding their own in tough contests, and laying foundations for future success. The issue isn't freshness it's continuity. Chopping and changing for the sake of optics risks disrupting momentum, not building on it.
As for the "no queue of potential replacements" line, that's a convenient narrative but also a defeatist one. Just because the options aren't obvious doesn't mean they don't exist. There are quality coaches, both within and just outside the county, who could bring value if ever needed. But suggesting Donnelly needs to freshen up his setup or face the suggestion of replacement paints a false dilemma. If he stays, and the squad clearly still responds to him, then he's earned the right to steer the ship his way, not with imposed changes.
And let's not lean too heavily into doom-and-gloom about retirements. McCusker, Lyons, and the Cullen brothers have all given immense service, but every team goes through transitions. That's not a crisis, that's footballing life's reality. The emergence of McDade, Love, Flanagan, young Cassidy and others shows there's a next generation coming through. The conversation shouldn't be about who's leaving, it should be about who's stepping up. And under Donnelly, that process is already well underway.
So, macca999, when you decide to pen an analysis of a game, the team, the management and the future, please do so more objectively and with sensitivity.
Thank you.
Jacob86 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 247 - 26/06/2025 10:08:45
2621150
Link
5
|
|
Replying To Jacob86: "I rarely pen a comment, but having read your take on the game, the team players and manager, I must strongly disagree with the idea that Sunday's result amounts to a "disappointing end to the season." That's an overly harsh and narrow interpretation of a game, and indeed, a campaign, that showed both growth and glimpses of real progress. Let's look at the fuller picture.
Yes, the second half against Kildare lacked bite and composure, but to call it a "collapse" doesn't reflect the reality on the pitch. The truth is that Fermanagh competed for long stretches and were still well in the game late into the second half. This wasn't some capitulation, we were within a score or two with 10-15 minutes to go, and small margins (the O'Brien free hitting the post, the missed pass to Cassidy) made the difference. Fine margins do not equal failure.
Moreover, the suggestion that we were "lucky" Kildare didn't bring their shooting boots could be flipped entirely. It discounts the serious defensive effort that kept them from doing so. Cullen's block wasn't luck, it was commitment. The clean sheet early on was earned, not gifted.
The criticism of the second-half decision-making and flatness ignores the conditions, yes, but more importantly, the reality of a young and still-developing squad coming up against a more physically imposing side. Yet we didn't fold. We weren't outclassed, we were out-muscled, occasionally out-thought, but not out-hearted.
And that's the key point: this team has heart. Look at the positives: the rise of Love and McDade, the return of Flanagan, McGurn's injury-free run, and the leadership emerging in Cassidy and McDade. Those aren't scraps, they're serious foundations. This season was never about silverware, it was about building, and the building is very much underway.
Also, dismissing hopes for next season because of possible retirements and underage struggles overlooks the clear pipeline of returnees, Jones, McShea, Bogue, Kelm, McGullion. These aren't just bodies, they're difference-makers. A fresh squad with a hardened core and a chip on its shoulder? That's a Division 3 contender, not a crisis.
So no, this was not a disappointing end. It was a hard-earned lesson, yes, but one from which a tougher, unified, and talented Fermanagh team can emerge. And that's not just optimism, it's evidence-based faith in a project still in motion.
Also, you say you didn't hear anything about unpleasantries and hope it's not true, but I can tell you otherwise. If the Coa Gael highlighted it, I'd take that seriously. He's rarely off the mark when it comes to what's going on behind the scenes, and he tends to be well-informed. Passion and frustration after a tough result are natural, yes, but let's not pretend everything was smooth just because it wasn't widely reported. Where there's smoke, there's usually fire, and in this case, I'd trust the source.
Even the manager's future is framed with undue pessimism. I have to disagree on the idea that Donnelly staying requires a new backroom member to "keep it fresh" that implies things have gone stale, which frankly doesn't hold up. Under Donnelly, Fermanagh have shown measurable progress: developing younger players, holding their own in tough contests, and laying foundations for future success. The issue isn't freshness it's continuity. Chopping and changing for the sake of optics risks disrupting momentum, not building on it.
As for the "no queue of potential replacements" line, that's a convenient narrative but also a defeatist one. Just because the options aren't obvious doesn't mean they don't exist. There are quality coaches, both within and just outside the county, who could bring value if ever needed. But suggesting Donnelly needs to freshen up his setup or face the suggestion of replacement paints a false dilemma. If he stays, and the squad clearly still responds to him, then he's earned the right to steer the ship his way, not with imposed changes.
And let's not lean too heavily into doom-and-gloom about retirements. McCusker, Lyons, and the Cullen brothers have all given immense service, but every team goes through transitions. That's not a crisis, that's footballing life's reality. The emergence of McDade, Love, Flanagan, young Cassidy and others shows there's a next generation coming through. The conversation shouldn't be about who's leaving, it should be about who's stepping up. And under Donnelly, that process is already well underway.
So, macca999, when you decide to pen an analysis of a game, the team, the management and the future, please do so more objectively and with sensitivity.
Thank you." Brilliant post! Good to see an honest and positive comment about our county team and management rather than the slabbering that some engage in to undermine those who give so much!
cillnaile. (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1008 - 26/06/2025 13:00:25
2621200
Link
1
|
|
I'm confused. Does macca want Donnelly to stay or not as one could interpret it either way. Maybe that's his intention, to sit on the fence. By the way I like your post Jacob. You should express your views more often.
Wired2theMoon (Fermanagh) - Posts: 42 - 26/06/2025 22:37:45
2621385
Link
0
|