2016 may not have seen the same highs of 12 months earlier when Fermanagh secured promotion and reached the quarter-finals of the All Ireland Championships, but there was still much to be positive about for Pete McGrath and his squad - not least that they consolidated their place in Division Two of the National Football League.
The big disappointment of course for Fermanagh will have been the controversial defeat to this year’s beaten All Ireland finalists, Mayo in Castlebar in the All Ireland Qualifiers.
The season got off to a solid start for the Ernemen with a McKenna Cup campaign that saw them bow out at the hands of Tyrone at the semi-final stage following group wins over St. Mary’s, Down and Donegal.
The opening league game though against Derry in Celtic Park proved a difficult day for Fermanagh as they suffered a nine point loss and although they bounced straight back with victory over Meath, a loss to Armagh in the Athletic Grounds had McGrath and his men looking over their shoulder. This was followed by a commanding performance in the victory over Laois at Brewster Park but when Cavan claimed victory in the derby clash it left Fermanagh sitting on only four points with big games against Galway and Tyrone to come.
Things appeared to be going wrong for Fermanagh in Tuam when they had defender Niall Cassidy red carded early in the second half with Fermanagh trailing by three points but McGrath’s men showed great character and no shortage of quality as they battled their way back into the game. However, with the contest in added on time Galway rattled over what seemed to be the insurance point to go two ahead but late, late points from Tomás Corrigan and Declan McCusker saw Fermanagh return home with a point for their troubles.
It meant it was all to play for on the final day when Tyrone were the visitors to Brewster Park.
As long as Fermanagh were not defeated they would be safe and although Tyrone arrived having already secured promotion, taking something out of the game would be no easy task.
Fermanagh trailed by one at the break but a determined effort after half time saw them take control to push into a three point lead, 0-11 1-05.
Back though came Tyrone and three quick fire points levelled up proceedings. In a nervous conclusion, Fermanagh got their noses back in front with a point from Pat Cadden before Ronan O’Neill replied for Tyrone. Fermanagh though were able to play keep ball over the remainder of the contest to grab the draw and see Fermanagh retain their place in Division Two for the forthcoming season.
It was then on to the championship and yet another meeting with Antrim at Brewster Park, their fourth in three years in championship football.
Fermanagh dominated the early exchanges as they moved into 0-06 to 0-00 advantage and by the interval that lead was stretched to seven, 0-09 to 0-02.
Antrim did respond and with seven minutes to go there was only three points in it but Fermanagh were not to be denied and Sean Quigley slotted home a late goal to leave six points dividing the sides at the finish.
A much tougher task followed though as Fermanagh travelled to Ballybofey for a quarter-final tussle against Rory Gallagher’s Donegal side. A strong end to the first half of this game had Fermanagh right in contention and in added on time in the half it seemed things were swinging the way of McGrath’s side as Donegal were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Neil McGee while Fermanagh were awarded a penalty for the same incident. This was a chance to get their noses in front at the break but Sean Quigley’s effort was saved by Donegal goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley which provided a lift to the Tir Conaill men going in at half time.
And Donegal went on to boss matters in the second half as they eventually ran out 2-12 to 0-11 winners.
It was then on to the qualifiers for Fermanagh where they were handed a trip to Wexford. In the end it was comfortable for the Ernemen with Tomás Corrigan, who had a brilliant year in attack, landing 0-09 as they finished up 0-19 to 1-11 victors.
The season though came to an end in Castlebar, although not without a touch of controversy.
Fermanagh bossed the game in all sectors in the first half against Mayo as they deservedly pushed into a six point half time lead, 1-10 to 1-04. With the wind at their backs, it was expected that Mayo would respond in the second period which they did. However, with the game still in the melting pot and Fermanagh still with their noses in front with six minutes to go referee Joe McQuillan awarded Mayo the softest of penalties for what appeared to be a blatant dive by Aidan O’Shea. Cillian O’Connor stepped up to convert the spot kick and Mayo went on to win by five in the end as Fermanagh’s season came to a conclusion.
After taking time to think over his position, Pete McGrath decided to stay on for another year and the new season gets underway early in January with the McKenna Cup.
On the club scene, it was another year dominated by Derrygonnelly Harps as they made it back to back league and championship titles.
The Harps, under the guidance of Martin Greene, got their championship campaign underway with a five point win over Ederney at Brewster Park which set up a clash with Devenish in the semi-final. A strong second half display by the Harps saw them power past their neighbours as they finished up 2-13 to 0-09 winners to progress to a final meeting with Erne Gaels.
The Belleek outfit were in their first final in 35 years having comfortably accounted for Roslea in the semi-final and the final was to prove a tight affair.
With eight minutes of the game to go, Erne Gaels edged in front as Ryan Lyons bagged the only goal of the game to make it 1-07 to 0-08. However, with Ryan Jones driving the side forward from midfield, Derrygonnelly took control in the latter stages and they hit the last three points of the game through Leigh Jones (2) and Declan Cassidy to secure back to back championship titles for their first time in their history.
The league title duly followed as they overcame Teemore in a one sided final and it was then on to Ulster. A tough draw saw the Harps paired with Derry champions Slaughtneil but they more than held their own in a dogged encounter. Their efforts though were to come up just short as Slaughtneil hit the final three scores to run out five point winners.
Kinawley also enjoyed double success as they secured the Intermediate and Division Two title while Newtownbutler claimed the Junior crown.
In hurling, Fermanagh claimed the NHL Division Three title with victory over Longford but they will remain in that division next season after losing out to Tyrone after extra time in the Division 3A/3B promotion/relegation play-off.
And the Nicky Rackard proved a tough ask for the hurlers as they lost out to Monaghan and Donegal before also losing to Tyrone in the relegation play-off. And defeat to Louth followed which leaves Fermanagh dropping back to the Lory Meagher in 2017.
It was also a tough year for Fermanagh Ladies. Tyrone pair Paddy Fox and Malachy Coyle were appointed managers but with a raft of players unavailable they struggled in the league before stepping down in April. 
They were replaced by Emmet Curry and Michael Mooney who took over for the remainder of the season and Curry has now been appointed as manager for the forthcoming season.