Lee Cullen has been one of Fermanagh’s best and most consistent performers during the league to date and on Sunday he was given the honour of leading the side out in the absence of Eoin Donnelly.

And the Belnaleck gave a captain’s performance as he was again to the fore for Rory Gallagher’s side in Letterkenny although at half time on Sunday Fermanagh looked to be in a tricky position as they trailed Donegal by four points.

Cullen felt that they possibly showed the home side too much respect in the first half but they turned that around in the second period to dominate matters and run out three point winners.

“We just looked at it at half time and we knew that we were standing off them and we were giving them too much respect. We went at them in the second half and we were disciplined and that’s why we came out on top in the end,” he said.

Fermanagh played intelligent football in the second half, both with and without the ball, and they reaped their reward for that as they pushed on for the victory to remain unbeaten in Division Two.

“Donegal came at us hard in the first half but we thought that if we held possession and we attacked smart and were disciplined it would turn itself around and that’s what happened,” he said.

Fermanagh went on to finish the game strongly as they outscored Donegal 0-09 to 0-02 and hit the last five points of the game but while Cullen feels that fitness levels are good, he goes back to the assertion that they are also playing smarter.

“Fitness levels are even better than last year so that is probably why we are seeing out games better but we are smarter as well, that’s the main thing,” he added.

The win keeps Fermanagh joint top at the head of the Division Two table but Cullen is not looking any further ahead than this Sunday’s clash with Clare.

“It is a cliche, but it is just one game at a time and we push on,” he said.

Fermanagh’s system of play has come in for criticism but the defender states that they pay no attention to anything other than what the Fermanagh management want them to do.

“We wouldn’t listen to the pundits, they all have their own opinions, but we don’t really care, we just stick to what Rory and Ricey tells us to do,” said the Belnaleck clubman.

And he believes the introduction of a number of new faces into the squad this year has provided a lift for everyone while St Michael’s reaching the MacRory Cup final is another positive for Fermanagh football.

“It’s good to see the young lads pushing on.

“Ultan and Johnny are probably seeing more of the limelight but there are more young lads behind the scenes.

“You have the like of Dara McGurn from my own club and Shane McGullion from Derrygonnelly, and they are all pushing on well. It is great to see them doing well as it is a major boost for us and St Michael’s doing well in the MacRory is a big plus for Fermanagh football too,” he stated.