Fermanagh boss Pete McGrath stands over ‘gamesmanship’ criticism of Donegal

Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath is standing over claims of Donegal ‘gamesmanship’ in the recent Ulster SFC quarter-final clash between the counties.

But McGrath has rowed back slightly on his post-match comments, now insisting that he should have used the word “exaggerated” rather than “feigning”, when referring to instances when Donegal attempted to stop the clock and break up play.

Donegal boss Rory Gallagher and county board chairman Sean Dunnion responded to McGrath’s criticism yesterday, with Dunnion expressing “surprise” while Gallagher said that he “did not agree” with McGrath’s comments.

But McGrath reacted: “It doesn’t particularly bother me what the Donegal chairman or Rory Gallagher say.

“What I said about Donegal is that they were at times feigning injury, it was probably more exaggerating injury at times.

“That was to break up the play, to prevent us getting momentum. Their physio and team doctor were on the pitch quite a bit.”

McGrath was also unhappy with the length of time between the awarding and taking of a penalty before half-time, following Neil McGee’s forearm smash to Ruairi Corrigan’s face.

Sean Quigley could have put Fermanagh ahead but his effort was saved and Donegal had a two-point lead at half-time, despite losing McGee to a red card.

“There was almost a three-minute delay between the award and the (penalty) kick,” McGrath said.

“That shouldn’t happen. A minute should sort that out but it was going on for three minutes and was quite orchestrated.”

McGrath also insisted that he would not encourage any of his players to “indulge” in gamesmanship.

And he said: “Donegal are not the team only that does it. It’s creeping into the game where teams will tell players to go down to break momentum and that type of thing.

“I’m not saying Donegal are the sole perpetrators (but) it’s not a part of the game that I would indulge in.

“Some players might do it anyway, there are players in every team that are cute enough and experienced enough to know that if they picked up a knock, it’s an opportunity to break the play and receive treatment.

“That’s always been in the game but it’s not something I’d go out and preach, teach and encourage. It’s against the ethos of what Gaelic football should be about.

“That’s why I said what I said. I don’t think there was anything out of order but if I was to rephrase, I’d say it was exaggerated rather than feigned.

“I’m not going to make a big thing of it now but there were certain stoppages that were engineered.”

Fermanagh are hoping to embark on another memorable journey through the back door, starting against Wexford at Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday evening.

McGrath’s charges reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals last year and the manager insists that’s the target once again.

“We got to the All-Ireland quarter-final last year and it was a very successful and enjoyable summer,” McGrath said. “That’s the target again but like a lot of targets in life and sport, there are hurdles and obstacles that you have to clear along the way.

“Saturday is the first of those. We’d love to think we’ll be playing in August but we have a lot of football to play before that. It begins on Saturday and we need a big performance.”