Newtownbutler man Colum Monahan had no qualms to answering the call when new Fermanagh minor manager Keith Reilly came calling. Indeed, Monahan says it was an easy decision to make to join Reilly’s backroom team for the forthcoming season.

Reilly was named as manager last week, succeeding Niall Jackman, with the appointment one of continuity as Reilly had been Jackman’s assistant last year.

And the new manager was quickly on the phone to Monahan to get him involved and the First Fermanaghs clubman says he was only too willing to accept the invitation.

“I knew Keith very well from our soccer days with Lisnaskea Rovers so when he got in touch with me I was very happy to accept the challenge. Niall (Jackman) was speaking to me as well and when he stepped down, Keith was staying on, and I am really looking forward to the challenge now and hopefully taking Fermanagh football forward.” The 34 year old states that the squad is likely to have a young look to it this year.

“To be honest, I won’t know too many of the faces. It looks like it’s going to be a very young squad made up of a lot of under-17 players but with the MacRory cup on and the club leagues starting on February 1st it may be a while before we can all finally meet up as a group and have a full training session.” He continued, “I was over Newtownbutler minors last season so I do know some of the minor players and it will be good to get going, the weather has not been kind to us of late but I’m confident once we get going we can bring a style of play in and try to progress the players. ” Monahan himself played for Fermanagh minors in 1997 and captained the team in 1998, while he later went onto captain the Fermanagh Under-21 side in the 2001 Ulster final before losing out to Tyrone 1-19 to 0-10. The talented footballer who is married to Fermanagh ladies player Marcella, also played senior football for the Erne County under Pat King and John Maughan.

On his own playing front Monahan is realistic with his time: “It’s going to take a lot of commitment with Fermanagh minors so I’m retiring from Newtownbutler seniors but in saying that if the time allows it I would love to get back out later in the season and play a bit of Junior football for the club, if selected of course.” The minors begin their league campaign against Donegal at Brewster Park on March 16 and further ahead they have a championship meeting against Antrim.

“Our last win was in 2011 against Derry and even before that the record was not great. We’re hoping to have a steady league campaign starting with Donegal and have the boys tried out in a number of positions that they can perform best at. The championship is always winnable and hopefully a win over Antrim in May can kick start a great championship for us,” he said.