By Niall Gartland

FERMANAGH embarked on a memorable run to Ulster final day back in 2018, so in that context it’s hard to believe that they haven’t won a single game in the province in the mean-time.

It’s an unwanted losing run they’ll be quietly confident about drawing a line under when they host Down at Brewster Park on Saturday, April 19, though they are – as usual – underdogs with the bookies.

Going by their respective league campaigns, there isn’t much between the teams. Down were unfortunate to be relegated from Division Two; Fermanagh could also count themselves unlucky not to pass them on the way.

At half-time of their final round tie against Laois, the Erne County were in position to spring back to Division Two at the first time of asking. Results elsewhere conspired to leave them where they were, but it was still a strong league campaign on the whole; after the disappointment of a heavy defeat to Kildare on their first day out, the only way was up, and so it came to pass.

A couple of draws and a narrow defeat to Peter Keane’s Clare meant that couldn’t quite worm their way into a promotion spot, but they’re in a good place heading into the championship.

Speaking after their win over Laois a fortnight ago, manager Kieran Donnelly beamed that his real focus in the league was “to try and develop a style of play and character among the squad and because we had so many injuries we had to develop a depth of squad and I think we did that.”

And not only have less established players accrued plenty of game-time, but the majority of their walking wounded have returned and are primed to play key roles in their forthcoming championship campaign, where another tilt at Tailteann Cup honours will be an obvious ambition further down the line.

Derrylin defender Luke Flanagan has recovered from a hamstring injury, Ederney duo Conor McGee and Sean Cassidy are back on the pitch and are making a big impact, while Brandon Horan is also back in contention. Conor Love was sprung from the bench against Laois and kicked two points, while Ronan McCaffrey should recover from an ankle injury in time for the Down game.

On the flipside, Ultan Kelm has suffered another set-back in his recovery from an ongoing hip problem, so he mightn’t be fit to see action in their Ulster Championship opener.

Elsewhere, there have been quite a number of steady hands in their season to date. Captain Declan McCusker always plays well, Garvan Jones has been in good form up front, while Joe McDade has been impressive in the middle sector. Perhaps their stand-out performer, however, has been goalkeeper Sean McNally. His late point from play snatched a draw against Sligo, while he made a number of brilliant saves in their recent win over Laois – he’s probably one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the province.

Their tussle with Down won’t define their season, but Fermanagh would still bite your arm off for an Ulster Championship victory after the string of uninterrupted defeats since the 2018 season. Down go in as favourites – but it’d be foolish to discount an upset.

Memorable Ulster Championship match:Ulster Championship semi-final 2018

Fermanagh 1-8 Monaghan 0-10

Sunday, June 3, 2018
A GAME that will live long in the memory of Fermanagh supporters – with one particular moment standing head and shoulders above the rest, Eoin Donnelly’s late fisted goal after an enterprising ball from Ryan Jones delivering a huge upset and Fermanagh’s first Ulster Championship final appearance since 2008. 2013 and 2015 Ulster kingpins Monaghan were strongly fancied to win this one but it was evident from the get-go that they weren’t going to get anything easy against the Erne men. It looked like the Farney County will still going to prevail – but that was until Donnelly’s dramatic late invention.

Wild card: Joe McDade
LISNASKEA midfielder Joe McDade isn’t too well-known on the national front, but he’s shown throughout Fermanagh’s league campaign that he has the tools to match up with the best midfielders about with a number of impactful performances. Was ruled out of commission for a fortnight with a concussion but made an immediate impression on his return. Is a dynamic player but is good at the traditional stuff as well. McDade has had his fair share of injury troubles but touch wood is getting a clean run of it and is line for a good championship campaign.

Captain: Declan McCusker
EDERNEY stalwart Declan McCusker stays in place as captain. He’s in his 14th season with Fermanagh and he admits that retirement did cross his mind in the wake of last year’s campaign, but he mulled it over and is back for at least one more year. An Omagh-based primary schoolteacher, he’s given great service to club and county and is a dependable figure who always gives his all.

Manager: Kieran Donnelly
FORMER Fermanagh forward Kieran Donnelly is back for a fifth season in charge. An affable figure, Donnelly’s tenure has been characterised by degrees of progress with some disappointments thrown in, and the early part of 2025 has been a productive one, coming close to achieving promotion. Donnelly, who managed Ulster’s interprovincial team with a view to trialling the new rules before Christmas, will be hoping to spring an upset or two in Ulster before their latest shot at getting their hands on the Tailteann Cup.