Raymond Johnston and Tony Collins were named as Fermanagh Minor Managers at the start of the week – taking over from Aiden Gilroy, who stepped down from the position – and Johnston says that they are keen to get down to work.

“We’re looking forward to getting going; I work along with Tony at the school [St. Kevin’s] so we know each other well, and hopefully we can bring our experience and expertise to the set-up,” he said.

Both have a wealth of coaching and managing experience, and the aim for the pair is to get the group out playing to their maximum potential.

“First of all, we want the boys to reach their potential,” said Johnston.

“We want boys working at a very high level and setting targets for themselves over the course of the year.

“It is about getting boys competing at the necessary level to win games in competitions.

“And it is about setting a culture and an ethos within the county, knowing that whatever day you go out you are able to compete.

“You want them to have that self-belief that they realise the talent they have and moving that on.”

Johnston says that the new management will liaise with the Fermanagh Development Committee, and he is hoping to get down to trials straight away.

“Shaun Doherty and Eoin Bradley have been doing testing with the U-15 and U-16 squads at the minute, and we are liaising with the County Management Development Committee and they have been able to relay the work they have been doing.

“We are hoping to start trials this weekend and just get it up and running.

“The last thing we want is to come in, and then be delaying. We want to get up and running and use the work that Shaun and Eoin have done in testing,” he added.

And Johnston is hoping for a full programme of games for the Minors this year after Covid has affected the last two seasons.

“You want to get some competitions, you want plenty of competitive games, because you can do all the training that you want but you learn more from playing games against other counties,” he said.