Malachy calls time

Editorial Department • Published 29 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Malachy O'Rourke has decided to resign as Fermanagh manager after three years at the helm.<<

Malachy O'Rourke believes that the time was right to step down as manager of Fermanagh after he decided not to seek a fourth year in the post.

O'Rourke led Fermanagh to the Ulster Final in 2008 when they lost out to Armagh after a replay but this was followed by two disappointing seasons which included successive relegations and championship exits at the hands of Wicklow and Armagh.

"Before the championship this year I thought that this would be the last throw of the dice. You know yourself when the time is right and we had exhausted a lot of avenues. We had put a lot of effort into it. When you are winning things sort of take care of themselves and run smoothly but when your not winning you are always working that much harder to try and find that wee spark to get you going," he said.

Reaching the provincial decider was obviously the high point of O'Rourke's tenure in charge of Fermanagh but he was disappointed to have not built on that the following season.

"I am privileged to have managed my own county and it was a great feeling to have got to an Ulster final. It was the first time in 26 years and I really enjoyed the whole build up and seeing just how much it meant to people in Fermanagh. The biggest disappointment for me though was not driving on after getting to the Ulster final. Looking back on it, you had fellas injured, fellas who could not commit and it is a pity that everybody in the whole county just didn't say we are in a position to push on and try and drive it on. There are plenty of ups and downs as a county manager but I have to say that I have enjoyed every minute of it," commented O'Rourke.

And O'Rourke has nothing but praise for the players.

"I would like to thanks the County Board, Club Eirne, the supporters and of course my backroom team but most of all I would like to thank the players. I am delighted to have been involved with them and see the character they have shown to keep working despite the setbacks. I have great respect for all the fellas," he added.

The former manager though does believe that whoever gets the job will have a strong squad of players to work with.

"It wouldn't be for a lack of potential that we would be stepping away. There is a certain degree of rebuilding to be done and there is a lot of work needs to go in to move that on although with the side in Division Four maybe there will be a bit of breathing space. The job requires somebody with real commitment and enthusiasm but I still feel that there is a lot of talent in the county. I would hope though that there would be no retirements and I think that the senior lads will have a big role to play in bringing through the younger lads. Hopefully Barry Owens will be back. Barry is a great fella and I would love to have worked more with him while hopefully Marty McGrath can get a bit of a rest and come back refreshed. People wouldn't understand what he has been through with his injury. I think that everybody has to put the shoulder to the wheel," stated O'Rourke.

And O'Rourke revealed that his time with Fermanagh had not put him off intercounty management, and he intends to get back into management either at club or county level.

"It wouldn't have, to be honest. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love the buzz and being involved in championship football but I will take a bit of a rest, get the batteries recharged and I'll be keen to get going again," he said.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 29 Jul 10

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