McCusker laments ‘heartbreaking’ defeat after Down leave it late

By KATRINA BRENNAN

FERMANAGH captain Declan McCusker said it was a “missed opportunity”, and that summed up the feeling of Erne players and supporters alike, on Saturday evening.

Down clawed their way back from seven points down to win by one, a result that looked highly unlikely with seven minutes to go.

“They were winning all our kickouts and we found it difficult to get one and turn it. I think they got a couple of soft decisions at the end too but I suppose that’s the way it goes – heartbreaking,” said the Ederney man.

“We played brilliant football for 25 minutes of the second half, probably as good as we’ve played here (Brewster Park), hit some brilliant scores and we had all the momentum but when it turns, it can be so hard to shift it at times,” said 34-year-old McCusker.

There were many positive passages of play, performances and scores taken but the display by Conor Love really caught the eye. It was no more than McCusker expected from his teammate;

“He was brilliant, fair play to him he really kicked on in that time and kicked some brilliant scores for us but we know he’s that.

“We spoke about getting him the ball as much as we could and he did the damage but unfortunately when they got the momentum in the end, we couldn’t get it turned and when we did get it turned, they got it turned over and got the goal and that was it,” he said disappointedly.

“We put so much into that game, at the start of the year we earmarked this game as one to win. We haven’t had a win (in Ulster Championship) since 2018 but the wait goes on.”

Asked how he and his teammates will process this defeat, he said;

“Football is a funny game, there’s a lot more lows than highs.

“We’ll have to pick ourselves up now and really go at this Tailteann Cup because I think we’re a good enough team to go all the way in it, so it’s up to us to put in the effort and make sure we do that.”