By Katrina Brennan

IN his first season in charge, CJ McGourty has helped Fermanagh deliver silverware on the Croke Park stage.

From the outset, that was McGourty’s number one priority and when the hooter sounded on Sunday afternoon, no one looked happier than him as he jumped and punched the air with delight.

“(An) unbelievable feeling,” he told journalists afterwards, “I can’t say enough about that group of players, they played the championship minutes all year, down the stretch, like we’ve asked them to do. We kept the ball for the last two and a half minutes, up to about 10 seconds to go, which is real important in a tight game – just to try and see it out.

“It wasn’t outstanding today but it was good enough to get the result.

“When I took over at the start of the year, they’d never won in Croke Park and that was a big statement for them and that’s where I thought my experience could help in winning All-Ireland’s with St Gall’s, that I have that wee bit of experience that could guide them over the line and look, it worked out today and we’re just thrilled with it.”

Eimear Smyth hit 1-9 of Fermanagh’s 1-11 tally and there was no denying it by anyone at GAA Headquarters, the Derrygonnelly player was sensational as she picked off points and showed supreme accuracy from the dead ball.

“She’s pretty good isn’t she,” said a deadpan McGourty.

“I said all year, she’s an exceptional talent but when she’s knocking on your door every day looking to get better, that’s a sign of a world-class player.

“Every night she’s coming to training, she’s looking for a different move or a different jink to learn or try and improve her game.

“There’s loads of them like that and in the championship moments, an extra wee move to get out of trouble, they count for a lot. Not only her, but everyone is a credit.”

Fermanagh won with two points to spare in the end, 0-12 to 1-11 and they had to withstand a serious challenge from The Wee County. After Smyth bagged a first-half goal, Fermanagh held that one-goal lead at the break.

Niamh McManus had three attempts at goal but was twice denied by the Louth ‘keeper and once by the woodwork. At the other end, Megan Maguire pulled off a top-drawer save during what McGourty described as a “rollercoaster”.

“Just thinking about plays and twists and turns in the game. Megan made an unbelievable save in the first half. They went through at one time, Kate Flood missed a free – outstanding player that she is, nine times out of 10 puts that over. Wee twists and turns like that. I’m sure it was a good game for the neutral.”

Added to all that drama, the Erne ladies also had to contend with two sin-binnings. The first was for Ciara Clarke 10 minutes into the second half and the second with less than five to go when captain Shannan McQuade was sent to the line.

“It’s been an issue of ours all year but it’s better playing on the line than not playing at all, that’s the way we spoke to them all year. Not standing off, get the gain line high and try and press the ball as much as possible.

“It worked at times today, it probably cost us a player or two but I don’t really care how many we lose at this stage – we’re over the line and that’s what it’s all about,” said the Erne boss.