2016 was the year that three Fermanagh men were included in the Northern Ireland squad that competed in their first major tournament in 30 years when they played at the European Championships in France during the summer.
Michael McGovern, Roy Carroll and Kyle Lafferty were all named in Michael O’Neill’s squad for the Euros and what a tournament it was for goalkeeper McGovern in particular.
The Enniskillen man replaced fellow Fermanagh man Carroll in the number one jersey and went on to produce one of the most memorable performances of the tournament against World champions Germany. He pulled off quality save after quality save to repel the Germans and although Northern Ireland eventually lost 1-0, McGovern’s heroics were enough to send them through to the knock out stages on goal difference.
Lafferty went into the tournament carrying a knock but he was one of the key reasons that Northern Ireland were in France after bagging crucial goals in the qualifying stages.
O’Neill’s side finally fell to Wales but it was an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike.
Following the tournament, McGovern signed for Norwich City and has performed well for the Canaries in the Championship while Carroll is now back plying his trade at home in the Danske Bank Premiership with Linfield.
And in the Premiership, there was a changing of the guard and a late, late escape for Ballinamallard.
After ten years in the hot seat at Ferney Park, and after making history by steering Ballinamallard to the Premiership, becoming the first Fermanagh club to play in the top flight of football in Northern Ireland, Whitey Anderson decided to step down.
Anderson’s achievement’s at Ballinamallard are there for all to see but he felt it was the right time for both him and club to step away from the role. 
He had to endure no shortage of drama and controversy though before the end of the season.
His announcement came in the middle of May but little did he know that the season would not reach a conclusion until the end of July.
On a drama filled final day of the season, the Mallards needed a win against Carrick to ensure their safety. With Ivan Sproule putting the Mallards ahead they looked safe as the game approached full time. However, in an astonishing final few minutes Carrick scored twice and at this stage Ballinamallard were going down. In another big twist though Warrenpoint, who had to win to have any chance of staying up, conceded a hugely controversial injury time penalty when leading 1-0 against Dungannon. This was subsequently scored which relegated Warrenpoint and left the Mallards facing a play-off against Institute.
The drama continued as after a first leg which the Mallards won 2-1, there was a series of appeals and protests after Carrick manager Gary Haveron had been on the sideline during a game that he should have been serving a touchline ban. If penalised Carrick would have been relegated, Warrenpoint would have faced a play-off and the Mallards would be safe.
The IFA used ‘discretion’ in their judgement, much to the anger of both Ballinamallard and Warrenpoint, and Carrick survived while the Mallards were forced to play their second leg against Institute and there was once more a late, dramatic conclusion. Trailing 3-2 on the night with the game deep into injury time, the Mallards were staring relegation in the face but a last gasp own goal saw Ballinamallard survive the drop.
It has been a difficult start to this season for new manager Gavin Dykes, who was in the dug out for the second leg of the play-off. The late finish to last season left them behind with regards pre-season work while the manager also made changes to his squad. As it stands, the Mallards are set to be in a relegation battle and the goal for Dykes is clear - stay out of the bottom two.
On the coaching front there was a huge move for Enniskillen’s Kieran McKenna. McKenna had made a big impression as youth team coach at Spurs, so much so that Manchester United came calling with McKenna now the U18 manager at United.
In the Fermanagh and Western, there was a return to the top for Lisbellaw United who pipped Strathroy Harps to the Mercer League title. Andy Reilly’s side sealed a first title since 2011/12 with a thumping 5-0 win over Beragh Swifts thanks to goals from Paul McGrath, Davy Little, Lee Glass, Alan Veitch and Tiernan Magee.
However, their hopes of a league and cup double were shattered by a Mulhern Cup final defeat to Strathroy. Lisbellaw had booked their final place with a narrow 2-1 win over Enniskillen Rangers while the Harps defeated Beragh in the other semi-final.
On the night, the Omagh side finished up deserving winners as Tony Quinn’s 15th minute goal ultimately proved decisive as Strathroy retained the Mulhern Cup.
The Division Two title went to Strule United while Magheraveely earned promotion to Division One for the first time in their short history. Dunbreen claimed the Division Three title. The Reihill Cup final was decided on a penalty shoot out with Mounjoy Reserves seeing off Dunbreen Reserves to clinch the crown.
So far this season, the Mercer League looks as if it could be one of the most competitive in years with Enniskillen Rangers, Enniskillen Town, Strathroy Harps, Beragh Swifts and holder Lisbellaw all in the hunt.
The Fermanagh teams put in some good performances at the Super Cup NI. Denzil McDaniel’s Juniors finished a brilliant 12th overall and enjoyed some memorable wins including a sensational comeback to defeat Swindon Town and a good performance in beating Dundalk Schoolboys. There was a couple of disappointing narrow losses for Darren Higginbotham’s Premier squad. They went down 2-1 to Newcastle United in their opener while they also suffered a narrow defeat to a fancied Right to Dream side, however, they finished the week well with a draw against MS Select and a win over Otago.