By Niall Gartland

FERMANAGH club Devenish are tipping along nicely in Division One, but their new manager John McNulty cautions that established formlines could still change drastically coming down the stretch.

Devenish are third in the table after clinching back-to-back wins over Aghadrumsee and Enniskillen last weekend, though the overall dynamics could alter with the recent return of county players to club action.

A weighed points system means that three points are on offer for a win when county players are involved, which should, in theory, benefit the clubs with a particularly strong Fermanagh contingent.

McNulty said: “We have two county lads in Cian O’Brien and Fionan O’Brien. Fionan is out injured so we didn’t have him. Cian is back for us though.

“We’re third in the table alongside Erne Gaels, but there is another thing that needs to be considered – you have the second of seven games where every game is worth three points with the county lads back. The games are worth three points whereas the first seven were worth two. You could jump up very quickly or you could jump back down very quickly.”

A native of Kilcar in Donegal, McNulty is a highly experienced manager who most recently had a spell in charge of the Donegal ladies. He was keen to try his hand at something different so he’s enjoying the early stages of his tenure at Devenish.

“It’s a complete change of scenery, but it’s something different and I’m happy with that. I wanted a different challenge, maybe outside Donegal.”

“Devenish are an Intermediate Championship and Division One team so that’s a challenge in itself. You’re competing with the best senior teams in Division One.”

He also believes that Fermanagh have the right idea in ensuring that their high-profile county players have ample opportunity to line out for their respective clubs. He draws a withering contrast with his home county.

“I think Donegal need to look at their club football. The Donegal league is nearly finished now, there are one or two games left. The county players don’t play with their clubs in the league at all even though the championship is not going to be to the middle of August. I just think that for club football and for supporters and everything else, that you’d like to have your county players. It would lead to great games.

“The county boys back now in Fermanagh, there’s a bit of excitement about going to games, your club can go on a run with the county boys back, and they’re bedded-in for championship.”