It took only 48 seconds for Barry Owens to make his mark for Fermanagh on Sunday as he latched onto a dropping Paul McCusker shot to fist to the net, giving the Ernesiders a fantastic start in Sunday’s victory over Wexford. The big Teemore man was making his first start of the year at full forward and for Owens he is loving it being back in the fold once again.

“It’s just a fantastic feeling being back and getting involved. The training has been tough over the last couple of weeks but on match days in Brewster Park it’s always extra special and it’s great to get two points on Sunday last that confirms were safe from any relegation trouble.” Fermanagh may have had a solid opening half scoring 1-12, but it was their poor second half showing which may have worried supporters, with Wexford winning the second half 3-05 to 1-08.

Owens is quick to stress though that the players are working hard to fix any problems: “Certainly at half time we knew we had a commanding lead and really wanted to push on but we conceded some sloppy goals and on another day conceding three goals will kill us off. We were very far ahead and I feel it worked against us in the second half and we seemed to let Wexford back into the game rather too easily. The concentration levels seem to drop and they took full advantage of the wide open spaces of Brewster Park. Realistically we need to be cuter and put teams away when we have them on the ropes.” The 32 year old electrician only recently joined up with the squad having taken a break when he and wife Caroline had twins, Ava and Shea.

It’s back to training now though the former two time All Star admits that given the commitment involved in playing inter-county football it is getting more difficult to juggle this with a job and family.

“Training is going really well, there is a great intensity about it and the players are all well-tuned in and focused in what they need to do. Leon Carters has been an excellent coach and I’m sure only for his injuries he could be lining out for Fermanagh also.” He continued: “Training is now four or five times a week with weight sessions, pool sessions and work out on the pitch. It’s more and more becoming a young man’s game. It’s difficult to juggle football commitments with work and family, it seems to be more catered for a student or teacher. Soon I think your ordinary builder or plasterer won’t be able to play the game as work will have to come first.” With safety now guaranteed Fermanagh welcome Offaly to Enniskillen on Sunday for a dead rubber of a game, the visitors having already been relegated. Owens though does not see it that way with a win basically securing third spot in the table for Fermanagh.

“We want another win to conclude the league. We want to finish as high as we can and we see third place as ours if we can get a win on Sunday. Of course, we also want to make Brewster Park into a fortress and by winning well and hopefully keeping a clean sheet it will once again renew confidence and help the squad.” With the return of Paul Ward to the County squad, does Barry feel that any other players will be added? “To be honest we let the management decide those things and we as players don’t get involved in what players should be in the squad. It’s great to have Paul back in the squad, he was top score for us last year in the National League and I have kept in touch with him throughout the winter hoping he would return. It’s great to see him back and he still has plenty to offer the County team.” Fermanagh have now conceded ten goals in just six games and with an Offaly side boasting players like Niall McNamee and Peter Cunningham it’s a worry that the Erne defence may be unplugged once again on Sunday. Owens feels that the ‘black card’ has played a role in this.

“It seems to be every side are posting big scores this year, defenders seem to be worried that if they touch a forward at all they could get a black card. Forwards are certainly reaping the benefits but hopefully we can work on it over the coming weeks and get a gameplan ready for the Championship.” As Antrim come calling to Enniskillen in nine weeks time, Owens is quick to point that at the moment Offaly is the only side in their sights, “At the moment it’s full concentration on the league and our game with Offaly on Sunday. We haven’t looked at Antrim yet but I’m sure we will get as much information as we can on them but for now we need to play Offaly. I’m sure though Antrim will be a serious test for us in the championship.”