Pressure is coming on the Fermanagh development squads due to the counties lack of numbers.
The under 16 development squad played a series of short challenge games with neighbouring Monaghan at Roslea last midweek and it proved to be a testing exercise for the Erne panel as they were decisively beaten in the three matches concerned.
The relatively poor performance over the course of the games may generate a rethink in the strategy currently being operated with at this level.
Essentially with the need to field two sides, the Fermanagh resources are being seriously stretched and the unstated view would be that the county simply doesn't have a sufficiently deep pool of players capable of playing at this level to be able to send out two lineouts who would be able to at least compete to a reasonable standard.
On the other hand there would be recognition that the experience which every player would presumably receive from being acquainted with county level football, would in the longer term be of benefit not only to the player concerned but also to the individual's club.
Another problem which is now surfacing is that the availability of players has become sporadic with the onset of the underage leagues inside the county.
Training programmes are proving difficult to schedule on a regular basis.
Next major assignment for the panel will be the Buncrana Cup which will be played as a one day blitz competition on May 10th. It is hoped to have a successful preparation ongoing for that in the intervening five to six weeks.
A reduction of the current panel is also being considered.
In the Roslea games, the Monaghan opposition proved to be physically stronger than many of the Fermanagh players and they generally held the whiphand in most sectors.
For Fermanagh there were nevertheless some encouraging individual displays.
In defence there were excellent showings by John Mulligan and Rory Porteous in particular while further up the respective lineouts, Ryan McGullion and Paul Mullan were among those who delivered lively efforts.
