Fermanagh U-15s played a double game fixture against Sligo U-15s in Kinawley on Saturday 18th November. The Kinawley venue, with its two excellent pitches, is perfect for this type of Development Squad event where the counties select two even teams and play two full games at the same time. Aodhgán Murphy and Gerry Moane were the two coaches with the squad and they sorted the 38 players into two teams.
Aodhgan's team included: Danny Maguire, Eoin Leonard, Shea Curran, Niall Lunney, Conor Hyde, John Duffy, Pierce Martin, Niall Moane, Chris O'Neill, Lloyd Harte, Gavin Gallagher (1-2), Seamus Bogue (1-0), Martin Doherty (1-2, Kevin Duffy(0-1) and Liam Lindsay (1-1). Changes: Gerry Flynn for Eoin Leonard, Eugene Kearins for Niall Lunney, Paul McCaffrey for Conor Hyde, Justin Kelly for Kevin Duffy. John Crudden was the man in the middle for this game.
After a brilliant first quarter and an indifferent second quarter this team trailed at half-time by a point, Fermanagh 3–1, Sligo 2–5, but a great last 15 minutes in the second half saw them run out four points winners, Fermanagh 4–6, Sligo 2–8.
Best in an excellent team performance were defenders Paul McCaffrey, Shea Curran and John Duffy, midfielders Chris O'Neill and Niall Moane and forwards Gavin Gallagher, Martin Doherty and Liam Lindsay.
Gerry's team started as follows: Caolan Winterson, Conor Maguire, Stephen Power, Francis Maguire, Niall Mohan, Shane McMahon, Niall Cullen, Daniel Mohan, Emmlyn Mullarkey, Ciaran Conlon, Aodhgán Murphy (0-1), Liam Gilleece, Ryan Elliott, Michael McAleer (0-5) and Dermot Lewsley (0-1). Changes: Kieran Leonard for Caolan Winterson, Brendan Cassidy, Stephen Colgan, Chris Brennan.
This team played well, dominated possession but could not convert chances - they kicked 17 wides - and paid the penalty with a three point loss. Despite being let down by some wayward finishing, this group did a lot well. There were good performances in defence from Conor Maguire, Stephen Power and Shane McMahon, in midfield from Danny Mohan and Emmlyn Mullarkey and in the forward line from Michael McAleer, Aodhgán Murphy and Ciaran Conlon.
Nine wides in the first half for the Fermanagh boys saw them level at half-time, three points each, and three points behind at the Kevin Connors' final whistle, Fermanagh 0-7, Sligo 2–4.
On aggregate, Fermanagh just edged the contest by a single point but both coaches expressed themselves to be very encouraged by the attitude and performances of the players.
The final event of 2006 for this group of players was on Tuesday 21st against St Aidan's, Derrylin, in Kinawley. The panel of players for this game was as follows: Aughadrumsee – Brendan Cassidy and Eugene Kearns; Brookeboro – Niall Moane and Gerard Flynn; Belcoo – Eoin Leonard, Niall Cullen and Patrick Burns; Newtownbutler – Niall Mohan and Conor Maguire; Roslea – Shane McMahon and Daniel Mohan; Lisnaskea – Francis Maguire, Justin Kelly, Ciaran Conlon and Shea Curran; Erne Gaels – Oran McCann, Gregory McGloin, Gary O'Connor, Christopher O'Neill, Paul McCaffrey and Ronan Cox; Derrygonnelly – Chris Brennan, Ryan Elliott and Daniel Maguire.
