Enniskillen Rangers player manager Michael Kerr selects the best Fermanagh and Western XI that he has played against

This was really tough and there were a number of positions that were a toss up and were hard to make a final decision on.

If I had included players I played with then we would be having a different conversation as the likes of Willie Burleigh and Rory Judge would come into it but I’m happy with the side that I have settled on.

Goalkeeper

Jerome Carleton

I would have played against Jerome when he played for Irvinestown Wanderers and NFC Kesh and he was one of the best shot stoppers about and you would have needed to get him on a bad day to get past him.

I went and signed him then for Rangers and he was excellent. One of the best around.

Right Back

Marty Flanagan

Marty was one of the most composed players you will ever come across. He might not have looked the fittest but he was never out of position and you never got any change out of him. Also his first touch and his passing were superb, he didn’t have any weaknesses. Mr Consistency.

Centre Backs

Nicky Dunbar

Nicky was a very elegant player who could read the game well and was a very good passer of the ball but he was also a very good defender.

People might have thought he was lunging in at times but he would have been covering for others and he had a winning mentality which is what you want.

Declan Molloy

He has been about the Fermanagh and Western for the last 10 or 15 years, playing week in, week out for Tummery. He has won Mulhern Cups and has captained the team and is very good at what he does.

Declan is maybe under-rated as he goes about his business in a quiet manner but is a top class centre half.

Left Back

Darren Teague

An excellent player. He has a serious engine, is a great defender while he also has a cracking delivery and a fine shot. Could be a bit of a hot head but I don’t mind that.

Teaguey is one of the most natural footballers in the league and you always knew what to expect when you played against him.

Right Midfield

Ryan Mayse

He played for a few years for Strathroy before moving on and he was a complete nuisance on the pitch and somebody you would hate playing against.

He was full of energy and had goals in his locker and it was no surprise to see him playing at a higher level.

Centre Midfield

Kyle McCleery

Kyle is everything that you would want in a midfielder. A complete warrior, a leader and somebody that you would want on your side every day.

He was always somebody that we would make plans for when we played Lisbellaw because he was such a big influence for them.

Cathal Beacom

A fantastic footballer with a wand of a left foot who scored big goals. Cathal could score free kicks, could score from inside and outside the box and is a powerful header of the ball.

His passing range, both long and short, is quality and with his left foot he would give this side a great balance. Ryan Hanna is maybe unlucky to miss out here.

Left Midfield

Emmet McNabb

He came on the scene this last few years and is a real talent. He is very quick and direct, he would drive at you which defenders hate and he can also score goals. I’m not surprised that he has stepped up a level to join Dergview and I expect he could go even higher.

Strikers

Mark Jones

For about 20 years he has consistently scored goals, the stats speak for themselves as far as Mark is concerned. What you don’t hear about him though is his strength and ability to hold defenders off, I know all about it, I was sent off against him this year. He is a player I tried to sign for Rangers but he was loyal to Nicky (Noble) at the time and stayed at Kesh. For his longevity, he is one of the best.

Frank Wallace

Again, Frank has been doing it on a consistent basis for the last ten years. When you play against Town he is always one of the players that you know that you have to deal with as he is a real threat. He scores, he must get into double figures every year, he is pacy and is just a really good footballer and I think he is one who could have played at a higher level.

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