McNally keeps promotion hopes alive

By Katrina Brennan

THE sweeper keeper was alive and well on Saturday night and in Seán McNally Fermanagh have a number one that feels very comfortable on the ball.

McNally plays outfield for his club Teemore Shamrocks, so it’s little surprise that he’ll take on the shot and on Saturday night against Sligo the 23-year-old finished with 0-3, the last of those scores earning Fermanagh a valuable draw.

McNally drifted upfield, as he does so often for Fermanagh’s last play, and Josh Largo Elis picked him out perfectly and he landed the vital leveller.

“I didn’t know whether to go for a goal or a point,” said McNally, “I thought there was an extra few minutes but I thought a point will do. A draw is better than a loss, we left it late.”

The odds were stacked against Fermanagh when they fell seven behind with five minutes of normal time remaining but three two-pointers and McNally’s score salvaged something from the game.

“In the old game it could’ve been away from us,” acknowledged the Teemore man, but he was relieved to get a point.

McNally made his return from a cruciate injury last week against Offaly and getting to grips with the new game has been challenging.

“It’s tough on the legs, all the running but it’s good to be back playing for Fermanagh in front of the crowd. There was a good crowd there today (Saturday) and last week, hopefully we’ll build on it and make Brewster a fortress here for the championship.”

The Erne number one kicked three points and he’s enjoying the new rules overall.

“Hopefully they keep the new rules. A lot of kids now, they want to go in nets and it’s good for everyone. It’s 12 v 11 but if you took that away, not that many people would want to be in nets anymore,” he said.

Getting his kickouts away is more challenging than it used to be though.

“Kickouts are hard, there are a lot of contested kickouts out around the middle of the field. It’s hard to get it short, we got a few there today but you’re near better off going long instead of risking it at the back because you can’t play it back to the keeper like the old days. It’s tough but when you’ve big men out around the middle you’re alright.”

Fermanagh have a weekend off now before they play Leitrim in Ballinamore on Sunday, March 16. McNally knows Saturday’s draw takes the pressure off massively but they’ll be pushing to get two more wins against Leitrim followed by Laois at home.