Jonny Garrity was unhappy with the performance of his side last weekend against Sligo, but he knows they have not turned into a bad side, and this Sunday’s crunch clash with Down will give them the perfect chance to get back on track.
Winless in Division 3A following defeats to Roscommon and Sligo, Fermanagh can consolidate their postion in the divison if they beat Down.
But Garrity knows there is plenty to work on if they are to do that.
Looking back at the 11-point defeat to Sligo, he said: “First and foremost, I think Sligo showed more hunger and desire to fight for possessions, and they were good when they had them.
“So we were under pressure, but we were disappointed with the performance, but we’ll certainly look to rectify the areas we need to improve on.” 
An area where Sligo proved very strong was in their ability to move the ball quickly from defence to attack, going on to punish Fermanagh for failing to slow them down.
“We certainly identified before that their strength, as a team, was their aggression and pace of their transition, and we certainly looked to do something about it but it didn’t materialise on the day, unfortunately.”
While Sligo were more clinical in front of the posts on the day as well, thanks to their transition play putting them in good positions, Fermanagh had a number of chances which they did not make the most of. 
Goal chances throughout the game were squandered, while a first half penalty shout for a foul on Eimear Smyth may well have given the game a different complexion.
“When you look back on the game, those were the turning points. Had they went for us, the game could have taken a different trajectory 
“We are disappointed. We could have stolen a goal, could have got a penalty, and that might have put us on firmer footing to drive on.
“As it was, when things go against you, it’s up to you to put the game the way you want it to go, and we weren’t able to do that.”
The lessons will be taken on board from the Sligo defeat and Garrity is hoping for a reaction from his players when they take on Down in Brewster Park on Sunday.
A win for Fermanagh will see them avoid the relegation play-off and secure Division Three status for next year. 
The sides played in the cut short Division Three league last year, with Down coming away with the points. However, Garrity does not believe there is much between the sides, who he feels are both “underperforming” at the minute.
The Fermanagh boss does believe his side are close to hitting form and putting in a performance they are capable of.
“We feel that we are on the verge of a performance. It’s getting that out now, that is the big thing.

‘A new opportunity’
“It’s important we don’t feel down on ourselves. Every week is a new opportunity to go and rectify the situation, and that is the beauty of these games coming thick and fast.
“We have reset it, and we are going in this weekend knowing we can turn it around. This group haven’t turned into a bad team overnight. 
“We certainly hold our hands up, and acknowledge that the performance wasn’t as good as we intended it to be, but we still have got plenty to aim for and we are looking firstly to steady the ship, and to improve upon the areas we need to improve on at the weekend,” Garrity concluded.