Fermanagh Club Players’ Competition set to get underway

THIS Saturday sees the return of the adult club season in Fermanagh with eight games being contested in round one of the Club Players’ Competition.

The opening game comes early on Saturday at 11am due to a wedding so Belcoo and Erne Gaels will have the honour of starting this year’s competition.

Each team will play four rounds of group stage matches followed by the play-offs. The full Senior Leagues get underway on Friday, June 14.

Depending on how Fermanagh fare in their upcoming Tailteann Cup campaign, clubs may have to go until round six of the league without their county stars.

There are a number of big talking points in the county ahead of the start of the club season. It’ll be interesting to see how former Donegal boss Declan Bonner (pictured) gets on at Erne Gaels. Division One champions Derrygonnelly start the season with two absentees, Daniel Ward transferring to Derrynoose while Stephen Gilroy has gone to Australia for a year.

Simon Bradley has returned as Enniskillen manager and he has recruited Aidan McCarron as team trainer, while Dominic Corrigan is back in charge of his native Kinawley as they go in search of redemption for losing the last two Division One finals. He has recruited well-known Leitrim man Terence Reynolds to the backroom team.

Former Fermanagh footballer Shane McDermott has assumed the reins at Irvinestown while Eskra’s Chris Kelly remains in charge of Ederney and will have to fare without Paul Maguire, Finbar Gillen and Oran McGee, whom have gone on their travels.