Fermanagh Manager Kieran Donnelly says that they will just have to move on from last week’s controversial draw against Westmeath in Mullingar.

Fermanagh had a good point waved wide by an umpire which would have put them two points clear at a key stage in the second half, and it looks that with the draw, the Ernemen’s promotion hopes have ended.

“We felt very aggrieved at the end as we felt a lot of key decisions didn’t go our way, especially the point that was waved wide – it was clearly over.

“I had started to celebrate, and it wasn’t even close. It is unforgivable that happens in this day and age.

“That win would have given us a real chance of going to Limerick and having a chance of going up, so it is a tough one to take, but it is what it is and we move on,” said Donnelly.

Control

Fermanagh had started the game slowly but Donnelly was much happier with his side’s second-half performance as they began to control the play.

“We felt the first five or ten minutes, we were fairly compact defensively but they got in for that goal from the sideline and it was a real sucker punch.

“I thought though we responded well after it and we controlled the second half quite well.

“Possession, count wise, we had more of the ball but it was just then when we were on top we had one or two chances to kick on, which we didn’t take,” he added.

And the character of the players pleased the Manager.

“That was something that delighted me – they showed great character and attitude and just kept pushing on and driving on, and hopefully we can take that into Sunday’s game.”

For Fermanagh to gain promotion, they would need a huge18-point win over Limerick, while also needing Antrim and Westmeath to draw.

Donnelly therefore knows that their chances are slim, but he says that with Championship just around the corner, he will be looking for a performance from his side.

“There is still an outside chance, although there is a massive score difference to rein in, but it is also ideal preparation for the Championship and the fact that it is so close gives us that extra focus as well,” he said.

Limerick go into the game knowing that a win will see them promoted, and Donnelly acknowledges that Fermanagh can’t afford to be too gung-ho.

“In these games, you have to just go and try to win it and see how it develops.

“They are a good team; they have had a real good spread of scorers throughout the league and they have several players who on their day can shoot big scores so they are a threat.

“They are physically big, and they play a kicking game, so they will cause us problems.

“We can just go to try and win the game and improve on the performance the last day and the score will take care of itself,” said the Brookeborough man, who is hopeful of having a couple of further options available in terms of selection.

“We should have big Joe [McDade] back this week in contention which will be a big plus for us around that middle third, and Decky [McCusker] potentially as well, but we have to be careful with him,” he said.