Fermanagh can build on incredible 2004 season, says McGrath

MARTY McGRATH, Fermanagh’s star midfielder and one of the county’s two Vodafone Allstars, is adamant that the county can build on their incredible 2004 season.

The Ulster side defeated Armagh in the qualifiers before losing to All-Ireland finalists Mayo in the championship semi-final replay.

McGrath is certain the county will not rest on their laurels. And he pointed to an embarrassing NFL loss to Kerry (2-18 to 0-6) last March as the turning point for Fermanagh's football fortunes. "That changed the year for Fermanagh. You couldn't look past the fact that Kerry were brilliant that day. The Kerry fellows will tell you that themselves, that it was their best day and we were poor," he recalls.

"But I think the best training session we had was on the following Tuesday night. Thankfully, it was a learning experience. Kerry did the same to us in the championship (two years earlier), but I'd like to think that if we played them again, we wouldn't get as big a hammering." Despite the incredible run, McGrath admits some sadness when looking back on 2004. "We can't look past the fact that it was a disappointing end, for players and supporters. Losing to Mayo was devastating, but it was the way we were beat. It was so close and we didn't play well. And yet we could have been in an All-Ireland final."

Up to last year, Fermanagh had just a single Allstar, Peter McGinnity, but from mid-summer he had been predicting that he would lose that distinction at the end of the year. And he made it cleat he was happy to do so. Honoured along with McGrath was full-back Barry Owens, while dynamic wing-forward Mark Little was unfortunate to lose out.

"Me and Barry got the Allstars, but we got them on behalf of the team as well," he adds. "We are all in this together.

"Anything that happens, happens on behalf of the team. We work together to win, so individuals win nothing."

But once the fun of Hong Kong is over, it's back to football, preparation for the league, and keeping expectations in check. The omens are positive, though the Gallaghers, Rory and Raymond are back in the squad while Charlie Mulgrew remains at the helm.

"He always wants to win and he's looking to bring it to a higher level than last year.

"Our opening League game is away to Longford.

"We will be under no illusions going down there. It will be very important to get a win.

"It could be the key to the whole year for us. It proved to be for Kerry last year."