My GAA Life – Fermanagh’s Peter Greene

Name

Peter Greene, Fermanagh

Which teams did you represent?

Quite unique actually at County level – Played for Cavan at U-16 (Manning Cup level), Leitrim (Vocational Schools level – Qualified for 1974 All Ireland Final to be beaten by Carlow) and Fermanagh (Under 21 & Senior level from 1976 to 1987) – Highlight reaching Ulster Final in 1984 to be beaten by Armagh.

At Club level – Blacklion at Under Age level then Belcoo (Fermanagh) and Newry Shamrocks (Down) at Senior level.

What’s your current involvement?

Have been County Board Treasurer in Sligo for the past six years.

What was your greatest moment in the GAA?

Reaching 1982 Ulster Final v Armagh

What was the most surprising moment in your career?

Being called for a trial as a goalkeeper with Glasgow Celtic in 1973

Who was the best player you ever played with?

Brian McAlinden (Armagh) The goalkeeper who brought kick outs to a new level and set the standard for all his goalkeeping colleagues !

What was the best score you ever saw in a game you were involved in?

Peter McGinnity’s goal in the 1982 Ulster Final v Armagh – a rocket into the top corner !

Which manager made the biggest impact on you and why ?

John McElroy (Fermanagh) because he gave me the opportunity to play Senior inter county football and always provided good feedback – he will enjoy that !

What was the best piece of advice you ever received about playing?

Strangely it came from the great Jock Stein when on trial with Glasgow Celtic – he taught me how to catch the ball properly – believe it or not !

What was the best thing about playing in your era?

The camaraderie and the satisfaction of winning particularly when we struggled for consistency due to lack of numbers.Our ‘80’s team should have won more !

What was the worst thing about playing your era?

Poor facilities – full stop !!

When did you know it was time to call it quits?

Broke my leg against Mayo in a Challenge match in April 1987 before the Ulster Championship – was never the same after that. Stopped playing and went in to Management in 1988.

What interesting or funny story may readers not know about you or one of your former teammates?

I suppose looking back it had to be our lack of scoring power in the 1982 Ulster Final when we had potentially one of the best forwards of his time in Jimmy Cleary who unfortunately at the time was away in Spain with the NI soccer squad at the World Cup – would he have made the difference ?