It seems as if Roslea defender James McMahon has been in the Fermanagh jersey for years such is the assuredness of his play. 
The centre half back gave another masterful performance on Sunday as Fermanagh secured a draw against Tyrone that was enough to maintain their status in division two of the National League although McMahon revealed the team had their sights set on the win;
“Coming out today we wanted to get the win but the way it transpired we are still very glad to be in division two. That was the ultimate goal once we could not get promoted,” he said before contemplating some turnovers late in the game;
“I think we should have won the game. 
"Maybe it was a bit of naivety but we were caught in possession around the middle of the field a few times and they came back in to it.”
McMahon revealed that avoiding the drop to division three was vital for the team’s evolution;
“As a team I think it is very important that we stay in division two. This is the level we need to be playing at because we want to progress even further so we are very happy that we will be playing division two again next year.”
This Fermanagh team have been on a steep learning curve over the past few season and after their run to the All Ireland quarter finals last year they entered new waters in the shape of division two football this season;
“It is a massive step up and we knew it was going to be like that. 
"Everyone had said it to us and I think it has been well document that you just can’t get away with the same mistakes,” McMahon explained before adding;
“Those mistakes are punished much more in this division but if we want to move on then we need to be here and playing against teams like Tyrone, Derry and Cavan.”
On the game against Tyrone the stylish centre back was pleased with the way the side pushed on after the break but ultimately unhappy at how Tyrone fought their way back;
“When we came in at half time we said that we were in the game but that 35 minutes wasn’t good enough and we came out and drove on and got a great start. 
"We were ahead for most of the second half and we are disappointed that we let them back in to it and that we did not go on and get the two points.”
Turning to the championship and a clash with Antrim at Brewster Park in the preliminary round McMahon is sure that the Saffrons will be travelling to Brewster Park looking to spring a surprise;
“They have serious momentum and they haven’t been beaten yet and when you have wins under your belt you get great confidence and I think they will be coming here confident of the win.”
The Erne camp will be ready for the challenge according to the young Roslea defender as they can look back at 2014 as evidence of what Antrim are capable of;
“There will be no complacency on our part. 
"You don’t have to have too long a memory to look back to two years ago when they came in to Brewster Park and beat us in the Championship so that will be very much in the back of our minds,” McMahon stated before concluding;
“There hadn’t been much talk about the championship up until today, we were just concentrating on the league and on our next game but we will look at Antrim now and make sure we are ready for that challenge on the day.”
That day won’t be long coming around. Fermanagh will be able to reflect on a successful league campaign over the coming weeks safe in the knowledge that they have been mixing it and competing with some of the best sides in the country. 
Onwards and upwards seems to be the rallying call for the class of 2016.