Pete McGrath felt that the Fermanagh players have made the wrong call as his reign as manager came to an end last Thursday night - but he stresses that he holds no animosity.

In a turn of events, McGrath stepped down from his post as manager, walking out of a meeting with player representatives and county board officials after the players had flagged up concerns that the squad had.

This all came after McGrath had been re-appointed for the 2018 season just over a week earlier.

A players meeting though raised concerns on certain issues and the majority at the meeting felt it was time for a change and it became apparent that a number would not be returning to action in 2018 if McGrath stayed at the helm.

“Senior players met and decided to do what they could to get me and the management team out of our positions. For me this is not a good way of doing business but they decided to do things this way.

“I just think that what the players did on this occasion was wrong. I think they were misguided but what has happened has happened and I’m not sure there is any mileage in going over the gory details because I think it is very important that the overall welfare of Fermanagh football is kept intact and the county goes forward together,” commented McGrath.

McGrath had been aware prior to his re-appointment that there were player concerns but he felt that they could be resolved.

“Management team felt there was still marvellous potential and that we could talk to players and deal with whatever issues there were and move forward together.”

He added: “I did what I could over the four years along with a marvellous management team and a very committed group of players and at all times I felt tangibly the support and the warmth and the generosity of all Fermanagh GAA people. It is unfortunate that it ends this way.”

McGrath though was full of praise for the players for the four years that they worked together.

“It is an awful pity because the players over the last four years have been exceptionally honest, loyal, energetic and committed in everything that we were trying to do for Fermanagh football.

“I felt we were a close knit group and of course at different times we had robust meetings and reviews and their views and beliefs were always factored in by management. There was an honesty and a transparency about the relationship which is a good dynamic to have in a group.

“Over the four seasons the players were brilliant in their commitment and it is unfortunate that it has ended the way that it has ended,” he added.

McGrath also had high praise for his backroom team.

“I would like to really pay tribute to the management team because I put them through the mincer more than once in terms of what I was asking from them, the meetings that we had to plan and trying to make things better.

“We had the support of the County Board at all times and also whatever progress was made could not have been made without the players,” said McGrath.

McGrath has many good memories of his time with Fermanagh including a super 2015.

“2015 was a particularly memorable year. Winning promotion down in Wexford which is never an easy place to go, the game in Brewster Park against Roscommon, that great evening in Breffni Park when we beat Westmeath to qualify for the All Ireland Quarter Final against Dublin and of course that occasion itself and the fact that the team played twice in Croke Park that season.”

This season though was a much tougher one with Fermanagh relegated to Division Three and making a tame exit from the championship with two heavy defeats.

“The year that just ended we know how difficult it was, particularly in terms of the players that we lost for a variety of reasons.

“It was pulling us in so many directions that the centre simply could not hold and the season went the way it did. We as a management team though were very enthusiastic to pick it up and strive on into 2018 but it didn’t happen and what is important now is that we don’t rake over the embers, that won’t do anyone any good.

“I leave with no animosity, no grudges, no issues because at the end of the day that will not serve me or it will not serve Fermanagh,” he concluded.