Squad goals for Donnelly ahead of Laois visit

By Pauric McGurn

FERMANAGH boss Kieran Donnelly has said that he will have to use the full extent of his squad as they prepare for Saturday’s refixed Division Three clash with Laois at Brewster Park.

The Erne squad now have four games in four weeks starting with this weekend’s clash which was postponed due to the snow in mid-February and Donnelly is fully aware of what is required.

“Injuries are certainly part and parcel of football. Laois will be coming to Brewster Park on Saturday disappointed that they didn’t take both points on offer against Antrim on Saturday.

“It’s another great test for us and it’s a competitive division that will test our squad and will test the players fully. It’s a tough run of games, so we will need everyone but believe me, the players would much prefer games than training.”

Fermanagh gave two full league debuts in Sunday’s win over Longford to Cian Newman and Gary McKenna. Garvan Jones came off the bench and hit 1-1 and Jake Smith was also introduced for the final few minutes.

Donnelly expressed his delight at the players’ contributions.

“It surely is a squad game. The likes of Cian came in and was excellent, he has trained well, his kicking is good, he is a big confident lad and in those windy conditions he done brilliantly.

“The lads that came on were also superb and the next day we are going to need those players again.”

That 3-11 to 1-10 victory over Longford was Fermanagh’s first after a loss to Antrim and a draw with Wicklow, and the manager was pleased with how they used the elements to their advantage after the break.

“We knew at half time, just like the Wicklow game, that the breeze at the break was a good eight to 10-point help. When we went in at the break we were five behind and I was confident that we could claw ourselves back into the game.”