An exciting ending in Brewster last Saturday as with 15 minutes left it looked like a comfortable win for Sligo.

First half fairly even but some frees gave Sligo 2 pointer opportunities to allow them ahead on scoreboard. Fermanagh had some bad wides and attack was slower build up while Sligo forwards were causing problems at other end.

Start of second half they blitzed us as couldn't get the ball at all, the introduction of McDade made huge difference he was excellent in middle.
Great to see the fightback and character at end with good 2 point scores from Jones, Sean Cassidy and McCusker. Largo Ellis pass to McNally for equaliser was class.

Sligo were very impressive and hard to understand their poor start but beat Clare yesterday too.

That result leaves Fermanagh with a slim hope for promotion still. Would next to win next 2 games which itself no easy feat v Leitrim and Laois, then hope this wkd that Laois beat clare, kildare beat offaly then clare to beat offaly in final game. Be nice to still have possibility going into the laois game although think team would struggle in Division 2 at minute.

Positive news on Kelm and Flanagan, both may feature from bench this weekend.
Team played monaghan on Saturday in a challenge match in clones.

Talk that these new rule adaptions won't be in for last 2 league games, madness!!

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1158 - 10/03/2025 07:16:42    2595656

abc1234 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 407 - 11/03/2025 18:28:49    2595985

ABC, I think you were too polite in your reply to macca. The guy has been selective in his criticism of certain players particularly those protecting the net. He never apologises when challenged and rarely has a good word for the keepers. You say 'push back' by others like myself when this guy is taken to task... but I would see it has having his wings clipped and rightly so!

hillbilly. (Fermanagh) - Posts: 39 - 13/03/2025 09:31:09    2596188

It's an interesting take, but I'd challenge a few points in your perspective.

Yes abc1234,good to see some healthy positive debate on here,much welcomed, certainly with the 2 pointers now no lead looks safe as shown throughout the league campaign to date. There was a number of factors in the great comeback, Fermanaghs attitude to battle, the 2 pointers and also Sligo made alot of subs early which disrupted their momentum.

Sligo moved the ball quicker, with the 3 v 3 teams are encouraged to move faster and use the kick pass, unfortunately statistics show less kick passing now then ever so we arent only team continuing to prefer to move the ball through hands still.

Obviously if offered opportunity to get promoted would take it always, give the players chance to try push themselves and raise to another level. Just being realistic in highlighting it is an even stronger division than when we were in it last year(when unlucky to go down on 5 points), Meath and Louth have improved and when look at the 2 teams promoted last year, Westmeath and Down this year who would be considered stronger than us currently it would be a huge task staying there.

Hillybilly, thats not being selective, its just saying what is my opinion, not fact just an opinion so dont take these things too deep. Again you havnt shared any of your views on the team and rather to criticise other posters. Id love to have wings like an angel but sadly not.

Best of luck to the team on Sunday, different surroundings in Ballinamore, Leitrim gave Offaly a closer test so important we are prepared for a battle, hopefully a win and get some minutes into Kelm and Flanagan. Championship game v Down only 4 weeks away from Saturday







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ABC, I think you were too polite in your reply to macca. The guy has been selective in his criticism of certain players particularly those protecting the net. He never apologises when challenged and rarely has a good word for the keepers. You say 'push back' by others like myself when this guy is taken to task... but I would see it has having his wings clipped and rightly so!

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1158 - 13/03/2025 18:03:48    2596285

Leitrim unable to field this weekend, due to injuries and U-20 championship commitments, so 2 points for Fermanagh.

Will always take the W, however I would have thought that Leitrim surely could have put a panel together for the match even if it meant calling up other club players as a once off (similar to what Fermanagh had to do vs. Clare a few years ago). Strange decision in my opinion.

Bailah (Fermanagh) - Posts: 49 - 15/03/2025 14:23:09    2596500

A very strange decision, obviously Leitrim in a difficult position and have a small pick which we would be familiar with but i think this decision will have a much bigger negative impact for Leitrim football than forfeiting 2 points into the future, doesnt entice future generations to put on a jersey/sponsors etc, puts media scrutiny on them and this wont be forgotten about. Puts the integrity of national competition into doubt.
Hopefully their under 20s put up a good performance later this evening.

From our own point of view disappointing not to have a game and get crucial game time into the legs of the returning Flanagan, Horan and McDade.

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1158 - 19/03/2025 18:33:05    2597340

Another strong last 10 minutes to get a win in Brewster Park yesterday, regardless of its impact on league important to get a win in Brewster Park before Down arrive there in 3 weeks.

The performance was patchy, first half was fairly even, Fermanagh twice punished for passing ball back to McNally in own half(one of which cost a 2 pointer) and did it once more it second half which led to another point.
Good displays from Decky Mc, Johnny Cassidy, Luke Flanagan, McNally made a couple of good saves and Largo Ellis kicked some great scores while in the last 10 minutes McDade caught some wonderful balls, similar to the Sligo game he was a driving force to the finish line and provided us with impetus to win the game.

Good win but few things to work on, ability to win breaking ball is really leaving us starved of possession, yesterday Laois took control in second half in middle sector. Definitely lacking presence there, maybe Horan might be able to help McDade there, McGurn putting in a huge shift but is more natural forward while we seem to lack real dirty ball winners, lads like former players Raymie Johnston, Barry Mulrone type players though way game gone last few years was no kickouts so breaking ball didnt exist players probably not used to this yet.

The 20 minutes of the second half Laois cut through at will with some pace, worryingly with very little resistance and easily missed 2 goals, as Decky said after this huge warning as Down would have serious pace and certainly be more clinical if we gift them those opportunities.

To watch at times yesterday was hard to believe Fermanagh were playing with possibility to get promoted(at HT actually were 2nd with results before Kildare cameback and Clare likewise) as our play was very lethargic, numerous times a player had the ball and nobody was supporting or looking the ball forcing player to try run it or turnover or back. Normally with team playing with chance to go up would expect high tempo and urgency, perhaps done heavy weeks training.

Overall 9 points on the board, including 2 one point wins, and 2 comebacks, one for a draw and other for win, so dont think can argue that should have got much more points on the board. Team have shown great spirit and attitude to get those results v Laois and Sligo, though against Down think will need better display and more consistency to step up to them. Hopefully no more injuries and Kelm is able to play a part.

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1158 - 24/03/2025 22:20:01    2598436