Division Four won't be easy - Canavan
Editorial Department • Published 2 Feb 2012 13:00
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Peter Canavan is looking forward to Fermanagh getting their NFL Division Four campaign underway on Sunday in London.<<
The real action will get underway for Fermanagh manager Peter Canavan and his charges this Sunday when they take on London at Ruislip.
The McKenna Cup allowed Canavan to run his eye over the players at his disposal, and although the Tyrone man was very aware that the squad were behind other counties in terms of fitness, there were plenty of positives to take out of the competition which saw Fermanagh gain the bonus of an extra game by reaching the semi-finals.
Canavan is keen to get the season up and running when they take on London while also recognising the importance of Sunday's clash.
"It is an important game from our point of view. There's been a lot of hard work this last four or five weeks and we're looking forward to getting the National League underway," he commented.
Fermanagh are favourites for promotion to Division Three and the manager feels that with the players he has to call on, if they apply themselves in the right manner, it is a realistic goal although he acknowledges that there are a number of teams with the same idea.
"It's got to be a target to make it to the top two and to seek promotion because, with the players we have, that's achievable. If they want it bad enough and work hard enough then that's got to be a realistic target for them. We're well aware though that there are a number of very strong teams with similar targets but that is what's going to make Division Four so interesting, a real challenge and hopefully our boys will be up for it."
And he is determined that his players will not take any of their opponents lightly, not least London on Sunday, with Canavan expecting a competitive league campaign.
"You're not going to be able to afford to lose too many games," he explained. "London have proven themselves, last year they beat Fermanagh and should have beaten Mayo, they were two points up with two minutes to go, so they are formidable opposition now and long gone are the days when people head over to London looking two handy points. In fact with things so bad over here and so many people heading over there, they are only going to get stronger.
"Coupled with that the fact that they have also played in the FBD League this year, the added games will have shaken the cobwebs free and they are better prepared for the league than they ever were."
Indeed, the Fermanagh boss believes that a number of teams in the division will fancy their chances of getting into the promotion shake up.
"There are a number of teams who have done extremely well in recent years in championship games and I suppose their Division Four league status belies what they have achieved in the championship so we will not be fooled by thinking it will be easy to get out of it. It was not easy last year to get out of it and it certainly won't be easy this year," he stated.
And Canavan feels it will be a physical test for his side in London. "I think anybody who witnessed the games last year will vouch for that, if they get a chance in the tackle they will not miss you, and they are physically imposing. The tight confines of Ruislip means we are going to have to be ready for that physical challenge and then try and play our own brand of football."
Of course, London defeated Fermanagh last year in the All Ireland Qualifiers and while this is a new year and a new set up, the manager accepts that the rawness of that defeat will still be with those who played.
"It is (a new set up) but you can't forget about it. For those players that played it will remain with them," he commented.
Fermanagh will go into Sunday's encounter with injury concerns surrounding a number of players including key forward Seamus Quigley.
"Ryan Jones was unable to partake in last week's training. Seamus Quigley has been carrying a hamstring since the Tyrone match and Brian Cox has had a back injury since the last game he played for Queens in the McKenna Cup. Shane Lyons pulled a hamstring in the first game against Tyrone and Marty McGrath and Tommy McElroy are also out so we have six or seven injury concerns even this early in the season," he said.
One player who is available though is Shane McCabe with the Belcoo man have given up his soccer commitments with Portadown to concentrate on Fermanagh. And Canavan is pleased to have McCabe on board.
"We're going to need everybody fully committing from here on in if we're going to improve at the rate we need to improve at. Shane is a quality player, he has proven that in the past and he gives us another serious option up front. To have him committed to gaelic and prepared to fight for his place on the team can only strengthen our overall panel and we're glad to have him," commented Canavan.
With some good performances in the McKenna Cup a number of players have thrown themselves into contention for selection for the clash with London, and it has given the manager plenty to chew over when considering his starting 15 for the game.
"I have certainly been given plenty to think about. Apart from the performances in the McKenna Cup, their attitude at training has been excellent to begin with and that's across the whole panel. Then coupled with the good performances in the McKenna Cup, it's going to be a difficult team to select."
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 02 Feb 12
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