Fermanagh to stick by Mulgrew

Fermanagh's senior footballers have been boosted by the news that Charlie Mulgrew will almost certainly be back masterminding their challenge for league and championship honours next season.

Mulgrew is eyeing up a fourth season in charge of the Ernesiders after the Fermanagh County Board gave their executive committee the go-ahead to thrash out a new deal with the Donegal man.

His initial three-year term came to an end in July when his charges lost their All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier to Donegal.

Mulgrew, who is the proprietor of a Letterkenny sports shop, had an impressive playing career which culminated in his contribution to the Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland winning squad.

He delighted Fermanagh's success-starved supporters in 2004 when, in his debut season, he guided them through to the All-Ireland semi-finals before they fell to Mayo in a replay.

After losing to Down in the first round of the 2005 qualifiers, they bounced back this year to make the last 16 of the All-Ireland championship.

With star midfielder Liam McBarron working his way back from a torn cruciate knee ligament, Fermanagh could be a force to be reckoned with again in 2007.