Marty McGrath could see game time in league
Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00
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The Fermanagh management will finalise their squad for the forthcoming National football League tonight (Thursday) after training although Liasion Officer Ger Treacy has stated that the door will not be slammed shut on anybody, and that the management will be keeping a keen eye on who is impressing for the clubs when the the club scene commences.
"The door will not be closed, it will remain open-ended," said Treacy. "If we pick up more long term injuries we will certainly have to look at adding in players and then when the league starts Peter has always outlined that he will take in club football matches, and if there is somebody who is interesting him he will get them in for an in-house game so the door will be open for anybody impressing at club level."
Peter Canavan and his management team have used the McKenna Cup to look at players and with a number of positives to come out of the competition some tough decisions will have to be made in picking the squad.
Indeed, Treacy feels that the competition proved very beneficial.
"We got to play four games and we got an opportunity to look at so many players during those four games, that's what it was really all about, getting games and to get an extra one was a bonus for us.
"It also gave the players a chance to familiarise themselves with the management and the expectation the management have, and then for us to familiarise ourselves with the players and see, in our view, have they the attitude and the commitment necessary to play county football. And that has been so pleasing, the squad that has been selected has worked so diligently and trained so hard. All in all it was a very useful competition for us."
One player who won't feature against London is Marty McGrath with the midfielder receiving on-going treatment for tendonitis in the knee. However, Treacy would hope that the former All Star will see some game time in the National League.
"We can't put any timescale on him. He is working on a programme and he's pleased with his progress and the specialist he has attended, he is very pleased with the way he is going. Marty knows what his limits are in terms of the type of injury he has, but he has done a lot of work over the winter months building up the knee and he now has the all clear to start running. We would like to think we will have him at some stage of the National League," he commented.
With the McKenna Cup nowe out of the way, Fermanagh will switch their attentions to the league and that meeting with London in Ruislip with a training camp planned for this weekend.
"We will have a training camp this weekend with the panel and focus will now be shifting towards the league and the London game. There is a bit of pressure to make a good start in the National League, it's always very important. That's shown in all the divisions, the teams that make a reasonable start have a good National League. It also helps to build confidence if you can start well so we will be looking towards the first two games and trying to win those two games. There is then a three week break where we can work on fitness and game patterns and that, and it would be great to go into that break with two wins," he said.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12
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