BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
The Easter bunny certainly delivered this year, with Fermanagh footballers making it four wins out of four in Division 3 by defeating Limerick at Lisnaskea last Saturday. In contrast to last season, where they failed to win a single League game, Fermanagh were defensively strong, despite the absence of Barry Owens, more than capable at midfield, despite missing Martin McGrath (suspended) and very lively up front where players like Mark Little and Ciaran McElroy have rediscovered their form and where the team manager, Malachy O'Rourke has unearthed a new talent, Paul Ward.
Afterwards, Ciaran McElroy (Ballinascreen), pictured left, spoke about the difference a year makes: "We seemed to have turned the corner when it comes to scoring. We set our targets and we're reaching them with every match.
"Yes, there's more movement up front, with myself and others coming out to receive. As long as the workrate is there and is evident to see, then I'm happy enough. Scoring is a bonus after that. There's no point going into a match and not putting in the workrate.
"After last year, when we didn't have any success, we're trying this year to make amends. The new management have brought a bit of freshness. They're setting standards as well and telling us what they want".
Further back, Ryan McCluskey was another star against Limerick. He said he was 'delighted' to join the squad when he got the phone-call from Malachy O'Rourke.
The one aspect he focused on was how the team management, and the players, were coping with those missing players.
"We knew at the start of the year we were going to have to deal with that, but, we have quality players that came in and it's great to see so many players contesting for places, and a lot of people wanting to play for Fermanagh.
"We're delighted we have used so many players, those that have come in have done well and that's something we need to keep moving. Training has been going well, and all credit to the whole staff, coaching and, obviously Malachy. Things have been going well, but we're keeping our heads down and not getting carried away".
For his part, Malachy O'Rourke said that, having led 0-8 to 0-1 at halftime, he expected Limerick to stage a come back: "But, in fairness to our boys, we worked even harder, and probably should have had the game won earlier than we did.
"I thought in the first-half, we curtailed them very well and again in the second-half till a wee lapse of concentration in the last minute cost us a goal which we are disappointed about but, hopefully, we will learn from that. In fairness to our forwards, they stopped good quality ball getting through to the Limerick forward-line. That was a big strength of our victory.
"At the end of the day, we can't be too annoyed sitting at the top of the table, with four wins out of four. That was our aim, that when we came here today we would be sitting on 8 points at the top of the table and our destiny in our own hands.
"I suppose you can't ask for much more than that. Everybody is very pleased, and we're looking forward to next Sunday".
So, it's onwards to Sligo this Sunday. What were Fermanagh's chances there?
"Sligo had a very bad day out last time against Leitrim, so they'll be looking to bounce back. There are no easy games; teams are desperate to get points to avoid relegation and the teams at the top are looking for points to be in the shake-up for promotion".
A fairly novel event that took place after the game with Limerick had ended was the sight of the Fermanagh subs undergoing a training session under the watchful eye of the four-man management team, O'Rourke, Paul Coyle, Peter Leonard and Leo McBride.
"Because the games ae being played in consecutive weeks", the manager explained, "the training is not as intensive as it could be, so we want to make sure that these boys can do a bit of work as well. As the year goes on, and even at the moment there are a lot of players have been in, we want to be sure that the boys are ready if they're asked to come in, and I have no doubt they will be.
"So, they're training very hard and their attiude is first-class".
