THE DUKES OF ROURKE

GAA ALL-IRELAND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Ulster semi-final Fermanagh v Monaghan Today, Omagh, 2pm

IT’LL BE exactly 10 years next month since Malachy O’rourke outlined his dream for Fermanagh in the 2008 Ulster final match programme.

To be specific, it was the programme for the Ulster final replay against Armagh having previously missed a great opportunity for a maiden title.

He concluded by calling for his Fermanagh players to ‘express themselves fully’ and deliver a ‘winning performance’.

Poor kicking and a series of misses frees ultimately cost Fermanagh in that replay and their wait for a first title continued. They haven’t even reached a final since.

It doesn’t help Fermanagh’s cause that O’rourke, a Derrylin and Fermanagh man, clearly has plenty of inside information on them.

As former Fermanagh star Shane Mccabe put it during the week: “He’s proven over the last number of years he leaves no stone unturned and he would definitely have the inside track on Fermanagh.”

“He’d know a lot of the players and a lot of the players’ connections.”