By Katrina Brennan

AS Fermanagh prepare to get back out on the grass to train in the coming week, Kieran Donnelly will be without two key players for the 2025 season.

Enniskillen Gaels duo Conor McShea and Callum Jones are taking a year out to travel and Donnelly said their absence will be “massive losses”.

“We’ll be sorry to lose those two” said the Erne boss who now bids to unearth a few more attacking threats ahead of the National League.

“Conor McShea was one of our most consistent players last year and Callum had a really good finish to the year, so we’re going to have to replace that quality, especially with the new rules.

“Forward firepower is going to be a massive asset. Whatever county can have that with the fact that there’s more space for forwards to operate in.”

There is also some uncertainty around Ché Cullen who has relocated to Cork. Donnelly is hopeful that despite the logistical challenges they’ll keep their experienced and vital defender on board for the coming season.

“We haven’t lost him as of yet. We’re trying to make things work for him but there’s no guarantee, but we’re not saying we’ve lost him as of yet.

“Ché is very keen to play for Fermanagh, it’s just his circumstances but we’ll try to put things in place that can make it happen for him.”

Donnelly has a squad of 46 players at present and he plans to use the next few weeks to trial players as they bid to whittle the panel down to a more realistic number in the mid thirties.

The squad had one testing day in accordance with the rules set out by Croke Park to avoid player burnout. Individual programmes have been provided for players as they “target areas they want to improve on themselves” said the manager.

Donnelly, who managed the Ulster-winning interpros side recently, will now prepare to bring his experience to the Erne setup as they get ready for a challenging Division Three.

Seeing the proposed rules voted through with ease at the special congress on Saturday was no surprise to the Erne boss.

“After our games with the interpros I knew they were keen to push them on through and I thought this would happen. There was a question if they would come in at club level and whether that would happen but I think the consensus was that it wouldn’t be fair to have one game style going and another at club level.”

Generally, Donnelly is happy with the new-look game and he said his players are excited by the changes.

“I think the players are looking forward to something different and what way we play in it. You’ll not know that until the games but they’re genuinely excited and when they’re in and talking about it, all the work has been gym work, and they’re keen to get to the football side of things.”