Enniskillen Athletic manager and former Enniskillen Town player Anthony Fitzpatrick selects the best Fermanagh and Western XI he has played against
Picking a team like this is never easy and there is no doubt that there is a lot of other players who could have come into the equation.
I know in picking my team I had to deliberate on a number of positions. Seamus Fanthorpe of Strathroy Harps could easily have slotted into the defence while the likes of Warren Dixon and Paul McGrath are others that could have been involved. As it is though I'm happy with the eleven I have picked.
Goalkeeper
Gary Howe - Enniskillen Rangers
Homer was physically maybe not the biggest goalkeeper but he was a very good goalkeeper. He organised his back four well, had good distribution and was an excellent shot stopper as well. Willie McFrederick was another goalkeeper that I rated highly and was an option for the team but I went with Homer.
Defence
Marty Flanagan - Starthroy Harps
When you see how many teams Marty has been named in it is clear how highly he is rated. He is a quality footballer and although he may have lacked pace he more than made up for it with his reading of the game. He always has time on the ball and rarely gives it away. Just a quality footballer.
Defence
Leon Carters - Ballinamallard Reserves
I played against Leon when he played for Ballinamallard Reserves and he was a strong, physical player who was good in the air and was a leader at the back. It was no surprise that he went on to play Irish League football and formed a great partnership with Mark Stafford in the Premiership.
Defence
Darren Teague - Strathroy Harps
He has been a big player for Strathroy and played an important part in their success. Darren has a wonderful left foot and a great engine and he also chipped in with goals. A cracking player.
Right Midfield
Liam Murphy - Irvinestown Wanderers
I'm surprised that he hasn't been included in more teams as I think he is a real quality player and somebody I've always been impressed with whenever we've come up against him. He is a good athlete who can get up and down the pitch and is lovely on the ball. Another who gets his fair share of goals as well.
Centre Midfield
Ryan McCluskey - Enniskillen Rangers
Clucker actually made his debut as a 15 year old in the same Town side as me but I would have played against him when he was at Rangers. You could see even from a young age that he was a very good player and he was just neat, tidy and composed in everything he did. The only thing missing from his game was goals. He played at a higher level and I'm sure that only for GAA commitments he would have had a very successful Irish League career.
Centre Midfield
Michael Kerr - Enniskillen Rangers
Another that I played with at Town and another top notch player. He could open a tin of beans with his left foot and I don't think I have ever seen him score a scrappy goal. I could have picked Mickey in three or four positions in the teams but I've went for him in the middle of the park. He has also been a huge success as player-manager of Enniskillen Rangers which is not easy.
Left Midfield
Tommy Nethery - Dergview
I remember playing against Tommy when I was about 17 down in Castlederg and I came off the pitch dizzy as he gave me a bit of a lesson that day. Tommy was quick, tricky, had good movement and could score goals. A very tough opponent.
Striker
Nicky Noble - NFC Kesh
I don't think that Nicky always got the credit that he deserved. He was a nightmare to play against as he never gave you a moments peace when you had the ball and of course he scored a lot of goals and made goals for others as well.
Striker
Aidy McCaffrey -Tummery Athletic/ Strathroy Harps
Aidy grew into one of the best players in the league and he has the medals and the titles to go along with it. Scores, assists and is a danger from open play and set pieces. He became fitter as he got older and after success at Strathroy he looks like having the same at Tummery. A brilliant footballer.
Striker
Gary Bownes - Ballinamallard Reserves
Such a silky footballer. He could take you on and beat you, he was quick and he could score. It was no surprise when he went on to play at a higher level and only for the tragic circumstances I'm sure he would have played for a long time at that level.
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