Bonner urges supporters to come out in numbers

FERMANAGH manager Declan Bonner has urged Erne supporters to help ‘make Brewster Park a tougher place for opposition to come to’ ahead of this weekend’s crunch Tailteann Cup clash with Wexford.

With the Leinster side standing in Fermanagh’s place of automatic qualification to the Tailteann Cup, Bonner wants the Erne faithful to be the ‘16th man’ as they aim to upset the Division Two heavyweights.

“The big carrot is dangling ahead of you for a home venue for the last eight of the Tailteann Cup,” Bonner said ahead of Sunday afternoon’s game.

“We’re going in as underdogs because Wexford are in Division Two, but it’s a game that if we go about our business in the proper manner, we have every chance of getting a result. It’s going to take a huge effort from the lads on the park and from the spectators. We really need that 16th man in Brewster Park pushing the lads on.”

Bonner believes there have been clear signs of improvement in recent weeks, particularly after reviewing their defeat to Ulster champions Armagh and the response against Longford, just two weeks ago.

“When we looked back at Armagh and analysed it, we got a lot of things right in terms of how we set up, on both sets of kickouts and controlling the ball,” he explained.

“It was basically our execution in front of goal that let us down. That was our downfall, but we were more efficient in our attack against Longford. We have to up it again now against Wexford who are a good side.

“They’ve had a really good season so far and it’s a game we’re looking forward to, but it’s a big challenge.”

Bonner also highlighted the impact of younger players stepping up, saying the likes of Lughaidh Donnelly and Shaun McCarron are impressing in training, while experienced figures continue to return to the fold.

“This is proper championship football now,” added Bonner.

“We’ve done a lot of good work over the past few months and we have to trust now in what has been done and really go after it.”