Peter the Great’s reign on Erneside off to perfect start

AN HOUR before throw-in, Brewster Park officials directed a luxury coach into the ground.

A few diehards, arriving early and buoyed by the prospect of a new season rolling out in front of them, strained to get a view of the Antrim team emerging. But then Peter Canavan stepped out. A late present from Santa Claus.

Fermanagh have been here before, with optimism. Once upon a time, former Meath player Terry Ferguson was deposited in Lisnaskea for a National League match by helicopter for his first game as county manager.

A diligent character like Canavan would never have let himself become part of a circus like that. Asked to sum up his first day, which resulted in a 2-11 to 1-6 win over Antrim, he kept it simple.

“It’s different. It’s not something I am used to, but you get to know the players over a short period of time and a relationship soon develops. There’s a bond developing among the squad of players and I’m pleased with that. They are realistic enough to know they are in Division Four for a reason, and they are going to fight to dig themselves out of it… I must say, I was delighted with the reception the players got today and I think we sent the supporters home happy.”

It was vaguely surreal to witness a man so visibly identifiable with Tyrone in the green waterproofs of their neighbours. Yet there he was, dealing with reporters with courtesy.

It’s a dreamlike scenario, the rising tide that has lifted all boats. Clubs have been chipping in with providing training venues, and the squad have been welcomed everywhere with open arms.

“We’ve been getting great encouragement and support from the people down here,” continued Canavan. “That’s fantastic and it’s very much appreciated by the management. All we can do is get these boys to go out and wear their hearts on their sleeve, give full commitment. The Fermanagh supporters would certainly agree they did that today.”

As for the football, it was typically gloomy January. Antrim’s Ryan Daly was making his inter-county debut at an advanced age, and was badly burned by Paul Ward who got 1-1 in the opening eight minutes. It was a lead that Fermanagh never lost, but things were never truly comfortable until a sparkling volley to the net by Seamus Quigley, the great entertainer of Fermanagh football.

Quigley mixed the sublime with the nasty. He was central to a mini-brawl that began on the sideline and travelled down the tunnel in the second half. Miraculously, he escaped with merely a yellow card.

Even Canavan had to restrain his own players during the episode. After all was calmed though, he was pressed into offering his own assessment on the man who scored 1-8.

“Well… not bad. There’s areas of his play he will look at too, I’m sure. He possibly got caught up in a few things. But certainly, the goal was a fantastic finish and not too many could have buried it the way Seamie did. I can only judge him on this past couple of weeks and I must say he has been as dedicated as any player that has come to training. He’s putting in maximum effort and that’s what I am judging him on so far. He’s no different than the other 30 on the panel.”

The Canavan delivery may be deadpan, but the smile is back on the face of Fermanagh football.

FERMANAGH: C. Snow; N. Bogue, B. Owens, J. Woods; C. Quigley, R. McCluskey (c), K. Connor; E. Donnelly, S. Lyons; T. Corrigan (E. Maguire, ht), B. Óg Maguire (0-1) (M. Little, ht), B. Mullin (B. Mulrone, 50); P. Ward (1-1) (P. Cadden, ht), Seamus Quigley (1-8, 1 ‘45’, 5f), Sean Quigley (0-1) (D. Kille, 63).

ANTRIM: W. McSorley; P. Gallagher, R. Johnson, R. Daly (P. McBride, 50); T. Scullion, J. Crozier, J. Loughrey; C. Kelly (1-1), A. Gallagher (M. McCann, 42); C. Murray (S. McDonagh, 65), K. Marron, M. Armstrong (M. McAleese, 51m); C. Duffin, M. Magill (0-2) (T. McCann, 42 (0-1)), P. Cunningham (0-2, 2f).

Referee: Shaun McLaughlin (Donegal).