Canavan the right man to keep Seamie shining

Paul Cassidy on Thursday • Published 26 Jan 2012 09:30 0 Comments

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Peter Canavan runs his eye over Seamus Quigley in the warm up before the Queen's game.<<

Peter Canavan knows better than most the pressure that being a team's star man puts upon your shoulders.

Numerous defences tried in vain to curtail his genius but time and time again he delivered. I'm sure he is well aware that Seamus Quigley has attracted the lion's share of the headlines to date and I feel he has deliberately played down the Roslea man's potential in an effort to ease any pressure Seamus might be feeling.

However, his importance to Fermanagh has already been demonstrated for all to see in the McKenna Cup in so many ways. He accounted for over 60 per cent of Fermanagh's scores in the opening two games, notching up 1-8 in each.

The major talking point in Omagh last Wednesday was why he was left on the bench. Peter Canavan would need to know what threat we carry without the big man was generally what most people surmised. After a disappointing first half it seemed we had our answer. We looked hesitant and shot-shy in the final third and the attack lacked real penetration. We also looked one of the physically lightest inter-county side that has ever been seen.

The Fermanagh support was given little to shout about and Tyrone on the other hand looked much more clinical and much fitter than their neighbours.

As the teams re-emerged for the second half Seamus Quigley was one of the first figures to appear and immediately a Fermanagh roar went up, which confirmed the level of support we had at the game. The game virtually turned on its head as the Fermanagh crowd finally had something to shout about and the team began to play with more self belief and a focal point of attack.

I'm quite sure the manager had plenty to say at half-time which could also account for the reversal in form but it was plain for all to see that the introduction of Quigley had an amazing impact both on the field and in the stands. If we needed proof of this, Sunday's rematch confirmed that without Seamus in attack we may well struggle to notch up sufficient scores to put teams away.

Seamus had already notched 1-01 by the end of the first half and helped Fermanagh to a two point lead at the break. The loss of Quigley at half-time with a strained hamstring coincided with Fermanagh being overrun by a rampant Tyrone side. Fermanagh are not as advanced as Tyrone in terms of fitness but there are many more positives to be taken from the entire campaign than negatives.

Sunday's game will act as a leveller to remind everyone of the work ahead. The manager has had a look at numerous players and I'm sure he has quite a task to select his panel for the National League campaign. Fermanagh are not a one man team, Barry Owens, Ryan McCluskey, James Sherry will provide vital experience while Canavan continues to groom Fermanagh's new crop of stars.

Midfield remains a problem area but it will take time and games to blend a team to compete with Ulster's best. Adopting a style to suit a team which is physically small will be a major priority but the big news to date is that we have found a forward who can perhaps provide the scores to take us a step further.

From what I have seen of Seamus Quigley, he seems the type that will not be too annoyed at the weight of expectation on his broad shoulders, let's hope we can keep him fit and injury free.

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