Fermanagh hurlers played their last competitive match back on June 6 when they lined out against Longford in the Lory Meagher final, in Croke Park.

More than seven months have elapsed and Seamus McCusker’s men are well and truly ready to get back into the cut and thrust of the action next Sunday week (February 15) when the league commences.

“We’re in no doubt we’ll be rusty and we couldn’t have a tougher start to the campaign than we have against Fingal. It’s a home game though and that’s a big advantage to us. We’re looking forward to the campaign and getting at it.” This year, McCusker has employed the services of Ryan Hanna as their fitness and conditioning coach. The Enniskillen man, who played his football with Coa, is tasked with getting the team in peak physical condition.

McCusker is pleased with how things are shaping up: “Unfortunately we haven’t had as many grass sessions as we would have wanted, what with the weather but we’ve been doing a lot of gym work. Their fitness is coming on leaps and bounds. It might not be exactly where Ryan wants them but they’re getting there. Some of the boys are training four times a week, so they’re working really hard.

“Ryan is well qualified and has gelled well with the players and he is getting a response from them,” adds Seamus.

As is the case with many teams at this time of year, the injury list is longer than Seamus would want.

“We have a right few injuries which won’t be cleared up for the first game,” he acknowledges.

Martin Beggan has a back injury and it is anticipated he will be a long term absentee. Last year’s team Captain Mark Slevin has a calf injury. Eoin Mahon has a hamstring strain, Andrew Breslin has a hip injury and Declan McGarry is out with a knee injury.

Paddy Donnelly is on board as the physio for the season and he is already working hard with these players, as they bid to get back to full fitness. While McCusker is planning to be without some of his more experienced players initially, he is confident he has younger players who will step up to the task in hand.

Players like, David Teague, Conor McShea, Jack Gavin and Aaron Magee have shown well and may get their chance next Sunday week.

This season McCusker also welcomes back Dublin based players Dermot Curran and Brian McLaughlin will also enter the fray. Wexford native Karl Keogh makes a return to the Fermanagh colours and will undoubtedly strengthen McCusker’s side.

Fermanagh played Donegal in a challenge game over a fortnight ago. The Tír Chonaill men were too strong for Fermanagh but it gave Seamus a chance to look at some of the younger players, he says. This weekend they will play Leitrim as they endeavour to improve their match sharpness, something all teams struggle with early in the league.

Fermanagh have come close in the last number of years and Seamus makes no bones about saying his eyes are firmly fixed on the Lory Meagher trophy this year: “We want to win the Lory Meagher and stay up in the league. The pressure will be on us from the start to get the results and it’s important to hit the ground running.” This year John Paul McGarry will captain the side and Daniel Teague is vice-captain.