Offaly to provide stern test of Fermanagh's credentials

Editorial Department • Published 4 Feb 2010 15:00 0 Comments

Share this

Action from Fermanagh's last game against Offaly in the league in 2006. Malachy O'Rourke will be looking for a better outcome as Offaly won by seven points on that occasion.<<

Fermanagh will travel to Tullamore on Sunday to commence their National Football League Division Three campaign with a tough looking game against Offaly.

All teams in the division will enter this weekend with hopes of putting together a run that will put them in the frame for promotion and key to that is getting off to a good start.

A win from the first game of the campaign will help to build confidence for the tests that lie ahead and there is no doubt that Malachy O'Rourke will be targeting two points on Sunday.

O'Rourke has had a good look at the squad during the four games in the Barrett Sports Lighting McKenna Cup, and overall he will have seen plenty to give him encouragement for the season.

Three victories from the three group games against Monaghan, UUJ and Armagh was a big boost for Fermanagh, especially as all three saw experimental sides take to the field, although they were brought back down to earth with a bump last Wednesday when they suffered a 12 point defeat at the hands of Tyrone.

Strangely, that defeat may be no bad thing for O'Rourke as it will have refocussed players on the work that has to be done if they are to succeed this season.

The McKenna Cup though did see a number of players throw themselves into contention for a starting slot on Sunday after their performances during the competition.

In defence, Devenish's Martin O'Brien has looked very solid at corner back with a couple of tight marking displays, and was again one of Fermanagh's better performers against Tyrone, so he could come in for a league debut while club mate Barry Mulrone and Belcoo's Niall McGovern, who played for Queens in the McKenna Cup, could also come into consideration.

The defence, though, will have an experienced core to it with Shane Lyons, Niall Bogue, Peter Sherry and Shane Goan all available for O'Rourke although vice captain Tommy McElroy is a doubt having sustained a knee injury.

The race for the goalkeeping jersey is down to two with Ronan Gallagher and Chris Breen battling it out for the spot after James McGrath pulled out of the squad.

James Sherry has been named captain for the season and will lead the side on Sunday from midfield where he will be partnered by either Paul Cosgrove or Derrygonnelly's impressive youngster Ryan Jones.

The attack could be much changed from last year's forward line with O'Rourke looking to add more scores to the mix.

Ryan Carson should lead the forward line from full forward having looked sharp during the McKenna Cup while Ciaran McElroy and Daryl Keenan are other members of last season's attack who are involved this time around.

Rory Gallagher should be available for Sunday despite club commitments and if he can repeat the form he showed for St. Gall's in the Ulster Club championship then he will be a big addition to the set up on his return.

Mattie Keenan would look to have played his way into the starting line up with a couple of fine displays, the Enniskillen Gaels man was Fermanagh best player against Tyrone last Wednesday, while Damian Kelly, who has been featuring in the forward line, Aidan McCarron, Ciaran Flaherty and Paul Ward could also be in the manager's thoughts when he sits down to pick the team.

Sunday is going to be a tough proposition for Fermanagh and it will require the same work rate and commitment that was on display in the early weeks of the season if they are to return home with the points in the bag.

Offaly will not be easily rolled over on their home turf and have enough quality in their ranks to make this a difficult day for O'Rourke and his side.

The sides last met in the league in 2006 at Brewster Park and on that day the Faithful were comfortable winners, 4-13 to 2-12, with Niall McNamee the main man.

McNamee will again be the dangerman on Sunday and is one that Fermanagh are going to have to keep a tight rein on if they are to win. Offaly have not been overly impressive in the O'Byrne Cup with a win over Kilkenny followed by defeat to DCU.

On both occasions though they fielded experimental sides but on Sunday they will have a familiar look to their side with the likes of Ciaran McManus and Karol Slattery joining McNamee while newcomers Ken Casey and Niall Smith should also feature.

It will be crucial for Fermanagh to get some sort of control on the play around midfield, an area that they struggled in last season, but if they can do that then they would hope to be able to get enough ball into the attack to go on and win the game.

The forward line never really clicked in 2009 at all but O'Rourke will be hoping that the likes of Carson, Gallagher and Keenan will supply sufficient firepower to take them to the victory.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Feb 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.