Ryan relishing the chance to lead from the front

“I going to really enjoy it,” said the midfielder. “I was told at one of the training sessions before the end of school and I didn’t know what way to take it at the start, but I have grown into it and I’m starting to like it. I just have to keep talking all the time and control the game. If someone is doing something wrong I will tell them, and if someone is doing something right I will tell them that as well. I’m looking forward to leading the team out.” The captain has faith in his teammates, and he reckons they can surprise some of the bigger names and top the group. “We have set ourselves a target to qualify for the actual Milk Cup with all the big teams, and if we play to our ability I think we will be able to do that,” he said. “How we play will depend on what opposition we are up against. If they are big we will try to keep the ball, and if we think we have more pace we will be more attacking and be more direct. We have fast wingers in the team and I’m more than confident that we will do well.” His confidence comes from a good pre-tournament build up that has seen them produce some impressive performances against top quality opposition.

“Some of the teams we have come up against have been good but we have held our own against them, and I don’t think we have looked too bad against any of them,” he said. “Training has been good. Some nights it has been tough and other nights there has been a lot of ball work but it has been a good mixture. There is a lot of experience in the management team and they know their stuff. They have played there and been there and they know what it is going to be like. I just hope we do well for them. It took a while at the start but everyone has played well together now. We have been with each other to know each other inside out and we know who is capable of what.” Fermanagh start their campaign with a match against local rivals Tyrone, and Ryan admits it is the one game they would all love to win. “Tyrone will be a big game but it is one we are looking forward to,” he said. “There is a lot of rivalry and most of us know each other so we are hoping to win that one. I’m sure there have been a few text messages between us - I know I have got a few. Brentford will be a tough game but if we hold our shape, move the ball well and move it quickly we should be alright. We are all excited, but everyone is focused at the same time. We are just getting ready for the game. There’s always nerves going into a big tournament like that but everyone is confident in their ability.”