A review of football in Fermanagh in 2022 by the Competitions Control Committee has shown the majority of respondents were content with how last season’s adult club fixture programme was planned and took place in the county.

The review asked a series of questions on the format of last season around when fixtures should be played and the new championship format.

The majority of respondents preferred all Senior Football League games to all be played on Friday evening (83) or as many of them as possible (109).

179 of the 274 respondents were content in general with the new Senior and Intermediate championship structure. 61 were not content.

Written responses detailed how the new structure allowed for more high end competitive games however some of the negative responses focused on the championships starting too late in the year and that it was very rushed. Others preferred the old straight knock out system.

162 respondents also preferred the 2022 league format of a Club Players’ Competition and then nine-game senior league while 89 would like to see a return to 18 rounds of senior league football.

Respondents were also asked if they would be in favour of moving to three Senior Football League divisions in 2024 with 106 in favour, 77 not in favour while 79 would consider this with more information.

The response to the new Reserve Football Championship was also positive with 158 people content with it, while 149 wanted it to continue with nine rounds of league games and round robin championship.

50 respondents would like to see a return to 18 games and a knock out championship while 33 would like to see a return to 18 leagues games and see if there is space for a round robin championship.

In response to one thing that went well with the 2022 adult club fixture programme responses included the Friday night matches, the new Championship structure, the early release of fixtures so people could plan their lives and the frequency of games during the summer.

In terms of what did not work well responses included no communication with the LGFA, championship should be condensed, the season being too long and reserve football being over before senior football.

In response to the question if they believe there is a challenge to providing regular and meaningful football for players coming from minor lever the majority of respondents (180) said yes while 95 people felt a U19/U20 club competition should be organised.

You can read the full report at https://fermanagh.gaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Review-Responses.pdf.

Meanwhile a number of recommendations are being brought by clubs to this month’s county board meeting.

Enniskillen Gaels and Teemore Shamrocks have recommended a break after the second round of games in the group stages of the championship for player welfare reasons.

Enniskillen also recommend that the team who qualifies in top position for the group stages should play their first game at home against the team that qualifies fourth, with second playing third at home.

Teemore will recommend to play Erne Cup matches on a Saturday evening and Seniors on a Sunday with the odd Senior game on a Friday if needed.

Brookeborough want the Senior Football League to consist of three division from 2024.

In hurling, Lisbellaw want a reformed Hurling workshop and the county chairperson and secretary or either or both officer on it.

They also recommend a first 13 for players who are ineligible to play junior championship hurling in Fermanagh, they want the same rules around postponements that apply to youth football to apply to youth hurling as well as all youth hurling competitions to use Foireann team sheets.