Returning duo in the frame for Louth

Editorial Department • Published 11 Mar 2010 11:36 0 Comments

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Eamon Maguire is set to make his return to county colours this weekend.

Malachy O'Rourke has moved to strengthen his squad over the last week with experienced duo Ryan McCluskey and Eamon Maguire having returned to the fold. And O'Rourke has given a strong hint that both could feature against Louth on Sunday at 2.30pm. Saturday night proved to be another disappointment for Fermanagh as an inexperienced side slipped to an eight point defeat to Antrim at Casement Park.

A second loss from three games leaves Fermanagh staring at the wrong end of the table with a crucial clash against Louth coming up on Sunday at Brewster Park, and O'Rourke has taken the decision to bring in McCluskey and Maguire to the squad this week to bolster his young panel.

"Eamon and Ryan have come back into the squad. We are at a stage where although we have been happy with the commitment and effort of the players, it is unfair to expect a lot of the newer lads who we have had to throw in together. The two boys have become available over the last week and we feel that not only will they add experience but also quality to the thing. They will provide a boost to the squad and it is important for us to have as many of our more experienced, and better players on board," stated O'Rourke.

And Malachy stated that both would be in contention for Sunday's key game against Louth. "It's a case of seeing who is available for Sunday but there is not much point in bringing boys in and then sitting them on the bench for four or five weeks. It may be different if we were sitting at the top of the table but the reality of it is we're not," he added.

And O'Rourke is hoping to have Ryan Carson available on Sunday with the full forward set to appeal the red card he received on Saturday night. Having reviewed the video of the incident O'Rourke is adamant that Carson should not have been given a red card and feels that the Newtownbutler man has a very good case.

"We will be appealing the red card. We looked at it on video and there is no way that he led with the elbow and there was no intention on Ryan's part of hitting with the elbow. We have seen fellas brought in because of video evidence and we would hope that it can also be used the other way, to clear a player. There is no way that it was a straight red card and we would be very disappointed if it was not overturned," he said.

Another player set to return to action is Marty McGrath who could well play some part on Sunday after missing last week's game against Antrim.

"We're hoping that Marty is near enough there. He was close to it last week but the most he would have been available for was ten or 15 minutes coming off the bench. In the end we didn't want to take the chance but hopefully with another week behind him he will ready to play some role," commented O'Rourke.

Chris Breen, Peter Sherry, Damien Kelly and Rory Foy were others to miss out last week due to injury while Fermanagh lost Daryl Keenan to a hand injury in the second half against Antrim.

"Daryl should be okay, we were worried that he might have broken the hand but we think it is only bruised so he should be fine. We would hope Chrissie will be available, Peter Sherry has a rib injury and we will not know until later in the week about him while Damien Kelly's knee is giving him bother and we will work on it this week," he said.

On the defeat to Antrim, O'Rourke commented: "Again we can't fault the effort of the players. It was a tough one for us as Antrim are going well. We then had Chris Breen forced to pull out before the game and Stephen Jackson played his first match for us. Peter Sherry had to pull out and James Sherry probably should not have played at all as he had spent most of the week in bed. In the opening half an hour we stuck with them well enough but they got a couple of points ahead before half time and when we then had Ryan Carson sent off we faced an uphill struggle in the second half. The boys fought hard in the second half but overall Antrim were the stronger side and deserved to win," he said.

On Sunday the two points up for grabs are crucial and O'Rourke is looking for his side to produce a good performance.

"We have to start picking up points. It is a home game for us and we have to be winning these games. Of course it is a pressure game but if we want to achieve anything at this level then we have to handle the pressure. We have to stand up and be counted and perform at our best in games like this," concluded O'Rourke.

The manager will also keep an eye on players performing well for the U21's who will play in the Ulster Championship in the coming weeks.

"I will be keeping an eye on that. We have to look at things in the cold light of day and say that we have not been performing well enough. On Saturday night we didn't get enough scores and we will have to see is there anybody out there who can help in that area."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Mar 10

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