In the end, there’s only one thing that really matters. What did the 36 young players who represented Fermanagh at this year’s Super Cup get out of it? What did they learn from the experience, and how will it benefit them in their future lives, never mind football careers?
Despite all the nonsense that’s talked, and believe me there’s plenty of it, the major criterion for me is the gain for these young Fermanagh lads.
Although I’ve been involved on a number of occasions in the former Fermanagh Milk Cup efforts, this is the first time I’ve actually coached a team. And being in the firing line hasn’t been easy, I’ll admit.
But throughout 2016, there has only been one important thing to focus on; and that’s the boys themselves. More than 90 boys in the under 15 year from all parts of the county turned up for trials, which meant that eventually I had the extremely unpleasant task of disappointing over 70 of them.
The boys took it well, some parents with big mouths not so well. If they thought slagging me off was going to change me, they had as much effect as a dog barking at the moon.
Did I get it right? Well, put it like this. After much anguish, I decided to leave Eimhin Curran out of the 18, but due to circumstances brought him back in again. And he turned out to be one of the stars of the week, and a brilliant lad. So I got lucky there.
The squad was formally announced on the 19th May, which left us just under 10 weeks to prepare a team, with players mostly from Ballinamallard United, but also an unusually high number from Enniskillen Rangers, as well as Eimhin from Lisnaskea. Some of them had most of their development at Enniskillen Athletic, although as someone was quick to point out they’d also been at Enniskillen Town in their early years. And Lisbellaw, too.
I really didn’t care what club they played for, what school they went to or whatever background they came from. They were representing this great county.
The first night we got together in May, I put a quotation up on the whiteboard, from baseball player Derek Jeter: “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.”
And, boy, did these Fermanagh lads work. I explained the style of play I wanted, the formation I wanted and we drilled the organisation of the team into them week after week.
It was more than just tactics, though. I wanted them to be mentally tough and look after themselves properly. To behave as well. In short, to be the best that they could be.
Their preparation was excellent. Myself, Jackie Palmer, Shifty Malone, Simon Friel and Gareth McGuckian kept on their case. The fitness sessions at Push Fitness were supplemented by excellent sessions on team shape with Joe Corcoran. And Aaron Hassard was always there to support us.
Towards the end, there were masterclasses by my good friend, Harry McConkey, who also gave of his time for me personally to offload and discuss things.
We gave them a different perspective on life with a wonderful visit to Willowbridge School, and there was a brilliant motivational team-building evening with Bryan Dunlop which I believe will give the boys food for thought for years to come.
We had 29 training sessions in less than ten weeks, plus nine matches of which we won seven and all of the squad got good game time. Team bonding happened along the way, and what a great feeling it was to see friendships forming.
By the time Super Cup arrived the boys were fit, organised, motivated and ready to go, and when I stood in front of them to talk on the Monday morning, I broke the habits of a lifetime and spoke about myself, my own life and my approach to it. I did it because I wanted them to know this wasn’t just a football tournament, it was a life experience. I wanted them to dream big, not just for the week, I wanted them to believe that they could be anything they wanted to be in life.
The boys grabbed their opportunity. After a nervous start, they settled against the Americans, South Coast strikers. As ever, there were highs and lows. The win against Dundalk was a real lift, but the second half comeback against Swindon was an experience I’ll never forget. Neither was the final day hammering by Antrim.
In our huddle after the match, I urged the boys to learn as much from that defeat as they did from the joy of the Swindon win.
What lesson did you learn this week, I asked after that final day disappointment, and was delighted when one lad replied: “We’re as good as anybody.”
The premiers can say that, too. The cynics and those ready to criticise won’t look past results, but I saw a fine young manager in the making in Darren Higginbotham and superb Fermanagh performances against the mighty Newcastle United and an absolutely fantastic Ghanian team, Right to Dream.
The two Fermanagh teams acquitted themselves superbly on and off the pitch. No doubt, some boys will have had a better tournament than others, but that’s football.
I believe we should set high standards, knowing that some will stretch themselves and attain them.
I also saw all the hassle and begrudgery, the two-faced knockers coming, of course. Plenty of previous managers far better than me got it. But while it can be annoying, I saw far more positives. From players, coaches, committee, families and supporters.
It was lovely to get some messages of thanks from parents, and a lovely card from the boys themselves means more than anything. The best week of my life was a common comment from the lads.
Well, it doesn’t have to be, boys. If you take the lessons on board, the best is yet to come.