TOUGH FERM IS PLAYER DRIVEN
RYAN MCMENAMIN says the Fermanagh players are taking control of their own destiny and any changes to their temperament is coming from within.
Ex-armagh star John Mcentee accused them of playing with a ‘darker edge’ during a successful first season under Erne boss Rory Gallagher and Mcmenamin. The team has leaked just 0-17 in two Championship games on route to Sunday’s Ulster SFC final against Donegal.
‘Ricey’ has responded by pointing to Dublin’s defence as a defence.
“You might get a bit of criticism from pundits and the like about closing out games but the top teams, and I’m looking at Dublin, they seem to play with an edge and seem to get away with murder,” said Mcmenamin (right).
“All the top teams do that.”
Sunday’s final is Fermanagh’s first in 10 years and they remain one of only two counties (along with Wicklow) never to have won a senior football provincial title.
It would not be an unfair observation to say Fermanagh were often too nice and naïve when it came to getting over the winning line over the years.
Mcmenamin says: “We had a meeting at the start of the year and those are the exact points the players brought up, actually”.
“But whether it’s me or Rory talking to them, we’re asking more of the players and for the thing to be player-led.
“If they want to close out games better, it’s not going to be me, it’s not going to be Rory, it’s not going to be Shane (Mccabe). It’s going to be themselves so the boys have taken that on board.
“We have asked the boys if they want to become the best they have to start thinking at a higher level and thinking about what can be done.
“I don’t think we’ve put our personality on them. I think the players have stepped up to the plate themselves,” said the threetime All-ireland winner with Tyrone.