Maguire back on board for Erne boss Gallagher in timely boost

IT may still be December, but Fermanagh manager Rory Gallagher has been heartened by the return to county football of Eamonn Maguire.

The St Pat’s Donagh man has linked up with the squad for training in recent weeks, which has been his first taste of county football since walking away at the end of the 2014 season.

Maguire burst on to the scene in 2004 as Fermanagh made it to an All-Ireland semi-final replay and although his work as an electrician meant he could not always commit to the Erne County, his quality has never been in question. In recent times, he has stood out as one of the finest players in club football in the county team.

This latest boost comes as Seamus Quigley continues to be a part of the training panel, giving Gallagher serious options ahead of the Dr McKenna Cup opener against Monaghan on January 3.

Meanwhile, Gallagher’s former charges Donegal were able to unveil their latest recruit, with Nathan Mullins lining out at midfield in their challenge match against Roscommon on Saturday, played at Kilglass, with Donegal triumphing 2-17 to 1-15.

Mullins is the son of former Dublin great Brian, who taught for a time in Carndonagh during Nathan’s youth. A stalwart of the St Vincent’s club in Dublin, Mullins was actually part of the Dublin under-21 team that defeated Donegal in the All-Ireland final in Breffni Park. He won the club footballer of the year in Dublin for his performances in gaining back to back Championships.

Odhran MacNiallais, who sat out county football last year, also made a return to action.