Ballinamallard defender Leon Carters says that his involvement with the Fermanagh GAA squad during their superb run to the All Ireland Quarter-final will help to drive him on this season.

Carters was a part of Pete McGrath’s backroom team, involved in the strength and conditioning and fitness of the squad, and he hopes to take the same mentality that was prevalent through the year within the Fermanagh squad to Ballinamallard with him.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the Fermanagh set up this year and what I’ve learnt from it is that when you do get a bit of momentum and do get the players in the shape they were in, you can achieve anything and I hope to bring that mentality with me to Ballinamallard, only this time on a playing basis. I really enjoyed being in with the Fermanagh boys. There was a real hunger about them and there was also a bit of craic and a bit of a vibe and that rubs off on you. It means you are going back to Ballinamallard and you feel fit in your head and looking forward to the season,” he said.

Indeed, having missed out on much of last season, Carters says that the hunger is there for the season ahead.

“The hunger’s back and it is great to be back in the changing rooms,” he said. “It was frustrating season last year. I got injured early on and then there was the matter of not being fit because I wasn’t able training with the team due to the fact that they were training on the 4G surface which I couldn’t do because of my knee. Also, to be honest, there were players in the position who were playing better than me and I just had to bide my time. This season though is a fresh start and once I get match fit I’m confident enough that I can be a huge benefit to Whitey,” he said.

It has been a busy few months for Leon who, as well as having been involved with Fermanagh, also tied the knot when he married Carina.

“It has been a busy summer but at the same time I’ve had time for all of it and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Getting married is a massive occasion in your life and I enjoyed it and my honeymoon very much. As I’ve said, working with Pete McGrath, the players and the rest of the backroom team for Fermanagh has been brilliant.” Having been away on his honeymoon, Leon was late returning to training for Ballinamallard but was thrust right into action by Whitey Anderson on the opening day against Warrenpoint when captain Steve Feeney picked up a knock in the warm up. He also started the games against Dungannon and then against Crusaders on their 4G pitch at Seaview and it has been a case of so far so good with the knee.

“I think Whitey has said I was thrown in at the deep end a bit against Warrenpoint after only having ten days training because of my honeymoon and I’ve played three games in eight days which is probably a bit much as I’m still working my way towards full fitness but for the benefit of the team it had to be done and if I’m being honest I was just glad to be asked to play in them.

“My knee has had enough time to really get a good recovery. I’ve been training on the 4G surface and at this minute and time I’ve had no bad reaction to it,” he stated.

There has been a bit of change around to the Ballinamallard squad over the summer with the likes of Mark Stafford, Davy Kee and Stuart Hutchinson departing while Shane McCabe and Emmet Friars are among a number of new arrivals and Leon feels there is a good blend to the squad.

“There has been a few players who have moved on to different clubs and we wish them all the best but Whitey has brought in a mixture of youth and experience. Shane brings a lot of qualities, he brings a leadership on the pitch and the way he plays the game is one to admire and Emmet brings that winning mentality, he doesn’t like to lose, you can see that in him. You then have the likes of Aaron Patterson and Michael McCrudden who have a lot of quality about them and we’ll see that given time.” The Mallards began the season with a win away to Warrenpoint and a draw at home to Dungannon, keeping a cleansheet in both games, but on Saturday they were well beaten by Crusaders. Carters believes that they have to put that game behind them and focus on this Saturday’s clash with Portadown.

“The bottom line is that Crusaders are reigning Irish League champions and nobody is going to go up to Seaview and have it easy. But we presented them with an early goal and when they get the foot on your neck they will break your neck. They put us to the sword early on and it was a difficult day at the office but we’ll just draw a line under it and look forward to Portadown. It is a big chance to get three points on the board at home against a good side.”