Novel idea could put wind in Fermanagh sails

Fermanagh GAA could be about to turn to a natural resource in order to boost the county coffers in these difficult economic times.

Outgoing Fermanagh chairman Peter Carty has revealed that he has explored the viability of using wind turbines at Lissan to generate income for the Ernesiders.

Lissan, where the Fermanagh GAA Centre of Excellence is based, is located just outside Enniskillen and if they plough ahead with the plan as Carty suggests, it could be a valuable initiative for them.

Speaking at the Fermanagh County Convention in Garrison, he said: "During the year I asked a group to look into the viability of putting up a wind turbine to generate electricity on part of Lissan land. The initial findings look positive.

"Over a few years after expenses are paid off this turbine could provide good income for the GAA. Now this is at a very early stage of investigation but I would strongly recommend that the plan be followed up and turned into a reality in the future."

Carty, who is bowing out after five years as chairman, estimated that the wind turbines could generate around £90,000 (€107,035) to £100,000 (€118,942) per annum after expenses are paid off.

2011 was a tough year for Fermanagh GAA both on and off the pitch. The decision of the Club Eirne body to cut their financial support of the county teams is a significant setback - they raised £90,000 for the sides in 2010, and such a figure is markedly absent from this year's accounts.

With that fall in income, Fermanagh have been left with a deficit of £9,477 (€11,272) for this year despite paring back on team expenses - they were reduced from £331,458 (€394,243) in 2010 to £214,311 (€254,906) in 2011. Player expenses were also cut from £116,962 (€139,130) to £65,950 (€78,449).

However, with new senior football manager Peter Canavan now installed and a good turnout of players at the recent trials, there is renewed hope that Fermanagh can put the disappointments of this past season behind them.

"We've had a couple of trial matches. There were 50 players at both trials. Some fellas were at both trials. In all, we looked at about 70 players," Canavan told the Irish News.

"Anybody that was asked to come has come or they have made an excuse explaining why they can't be there. We've had a very good response so far.

"As far as I am concerned, there is no split. Everyone is wearing the same colour of jersey.

"There have been a number of players who haven't featured much for a number of reasons and there are a couple of young fellas who have come in and done very well. They have stood out at the trials.

"There are a number who have impressed and it's going to leave us with a difficult job selecting the final panel."