Fermanagh starting to roll

Gaelic Games/Football qualifiers: Raymond Gallagher has been an integral part of Fermanagh football teams for the past 10 years. But at no stage during that testing if not wholly frustrating decade can he recall so much interest being generated by the county team.

Thanks to the astute, behind-the-scenes work of coach Dom Corrigan, morale was gradually restored during the week following the avoidable defeat by Down in the Ulster championship. Not even the fact that the side have yet to produce a goal in the campaign has deterred the strong backing for the side throughout the county.

"We are a youngish team, apart from a few 28-year-olds and one 30-year-old," says Gallagher, who adds that Fermanagh are part of the evening up of standards.

"Outside the top four or five teams standards across the board are very much even, and I feel that this is down to preparation on the training fields. Most teams now prepare both mentally and physically in a way that was unheard of in previous years."

A lot of the emphasis is put on the mental aspect of the equation, according to the Fermanagh attack leader who again finished up as top scorer with six points, five from frees, last Sunday.

"I reckon that 15 or 16 points would be enough to win most matches these days," says Gallagher.

On Sunday in Clones, he and his team-mates hope to be celebrating a goal or two in that targeted tally when they meet Meath in the qualifier series.

"The form guide as far as championship ties go against Meath is non-existent. Certainly I have never played against them in the championship. We beat them the odd time in league alright, but that is going to have no bearing on Sunday," adds Gallagher.

On their chances of progressing, Gallagher says. "Meath are one of the top teams about, we would have to play very well and Meath not to be at their best for us to win. It's going to be a very tough assignment for us.

Gallagher believes that, as with most games today, the midfield will be vital against Meath.With Paul Brewster on the bench for most of the game against Cavan, his brother Tom operated to great effect partnering Martin McGrath. But the duo were afforded continuous help from man of the match James Sherry, one of the real finds in the Fermanagh set-up.

"All sectors of our team would have to play to form, especially our forwards. Meath are a very formidable side. They seem to have strength all over the place with players like Trevor Giles,Graham Geraghty and Ollie Murphy, if he plays.

"There is confidence in our side. We were very low in morale after the Down defeat, a match we should have won but failed to push our advantages home. Then, only a week later, we showed against Cavan that we were capable putting all that behind us by raising our game."

On Sunday we may well see the true potential of this youthful Fermanagh team.