He was one of the few bright spots to come out of the defeat to Antrim.

Ruairi Corrigan’s second half introduction sparked life into Fermanagh as they launched a fightback that nearly saw them steal victory from the Saffrons.

As it was, Pete McGrath’s side came up short, but Corrigan’s display earned him the right to a start on Saturday in Portlaoise and he again was among the leading lights in a much improved Fermanagh performance, although ultimately the day was to end in disappointment as they lost out by the narrowest of margins.

“It was awful disappointing,” said the Kinawley man. “There wasn’t many people gave us a chance going down there but we knew that if we performed for the 70 minutes we would have a chance and it turned out that we just came up short. Every man gave it 100 percent and it is something to build on for next year.” Corrigan accepts that Fermanagh didn’t perform against Antrim and getting that right was the focus in the weeks since that defeat.

“For the three weeks since the Antrim game all we talked about was performance because we let ourselves down in that game. We knew we faced a serious battle as Laois had put Dublin to the pin of their collar in the Leinster Championship a few weeks ago and they have players like Donie Kingston and Ross Munnelly. We were determined though to go to Portlaoise and put in a performance, which we did, but unfortunately we didn’t get the result so we are still extremely disappointed with that.” Having forced his way into the starting line up for the first time this season, Corrigan is now determined to stay there next season.

“I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t get more game time throughout the year although to be fair, the forwards have been one of the strongest sections of the side and we were among the top scorers over the four divisions in the National League so I can’t really complain. I was happy though to get my chance and I did alright so hopefully I can push on next season and make myself a starter.” McGrath has given game time to a lot of younger players this season which should stand them in good stead and Corrigan says the more experienced players have been a great help for the younger boys coming through.

“Training with boys like Barry Owens, Ryan McCluskey and, last year, Marty McGrath, it really helps and the young players that are in the squad are all really hungry to get game time. Hopefully, we will be able to push on next year and make ourselves permanent fixtures in the side.” Barry Owens has already announced that he is bringing the curtain down on his county career but Ruairi is urging others to stay involved for another season.

“Hopefully the likes of Ryan McCluskey and Eamon Maguire and them boys stick about for another year and help us build on that. We would have to be targeting promotion from Division Three and then having a run in the championship,” he said.