Fermanagh to discuss report

GAELIC GAMES:FERMANAGH'S management committee will meet on Monday to consider a report on talks between players and officials. That meeting took place on Thursday evening and was facilitated by the GAA and the Gaelic Players' Association to attempt a resolution to the crisis that has seen 10 high-profile players walk away from the football panel.

According to a statement from Croke Park: “The meeting was held in accordance with the disputes resolution protocols as outlined in the recently announced recognition agreement. The meeting was most constructive and addressed a number of issues highlighted by both the players and the county officers present.”

The difficulties arose during what has been a hugely disappointing season for the county footballers. Under the management of Malachy O’Rourke, who stepped down at end of last season, the county came close to winning its first Ulster title in 2008 when losing to Armagh after a replay.

His successor was John O’Neill, a former under-21 manager previously also involved with the seniors.

Relegated last year to Division Four, Fermanagh were among the early season favourites to bounce back immediately, but a string of disappointing results, combined with the incremental departure and declared unavailability of senior players has seen the team slide to the point where only London and Kilkenny rank below them.

This has been the first test of the dispute protocols that form part of the recognition agreement between the GAA and the GPA.

Whereas it is not envisaged the departed players will return, it is similarly unlikely the dispute will escalate into a strike such as seen in Limerick and Cork in recent years.

The county captain and best known player, twice All Star Barry Owens, has remained with the team. He told the Fermanagh Herald: “We have to get on with it and work hard, keep training hard and take it from there. There is no point in saying otherwise, all the lads are disappointed that some fellas have chosen to leave the panel because they are good players and we don’t want to lose good players.”

Fermanagh play Kilkenny in Jenkinstown this evening.