In his address to Fermanagh County Convention, Chairman Greg Kelly was able to reveal that Fermanagh has secured an extra €30,000 per year coaching funding from Croke Park.

Kelly explained that following an external review into coaching carried out by Michéal Martin in 2015 it was recommended that Fermanagh hire two additional full-time coaches and that they seek funding for these coaches.

The Chairman stated that initially that funding had been turned down by Croke Park with the reason given that a national coaching review was underway. Kelly explained and that the county had “funded the positions ourselves” for the first number of years but through “lobbying” and “face to face meetings” by county board officials with Croke Park officials the funding has now been secured.

Kelly was also able to report to the meeting that a redevelopment of county training facilities at Lissan will take place and that 90 percent of funding will be provided by Croke Park.

Included in the redevelopment are the resurfacing of both pitches, the building of new dressing rooms and an upgrading of flood lighting.

Kelly also spoke about the possibility of a multi sports facility at Necarne with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council supporting a feasibility study into the venture that would see GAA, soccer, hockey, athletic and other sporting facilities built.

He stated that Fermanagh GAA were “fully behind the project” but that a successful outcome would require “buy in from other sports and the securing of Peace Funding”.