Allianz Football League Division Two: Cork v Fermanagh (Pairc Ui Rinn, 1pm tomorrow)
AIMING to ensure that a long weekend doesn’t become a ‘lost’ weekend adds extra motivation for Fermanagh’s trip to Cork.
The Erne footballers begin the lengthy journey south around noon today – that’s after they make their way to Enniskillen - and the effects will be felt even into Monday morning, according to Aidan Breen.
An electrician by trade, whose job takes him mostly into counties Armagh and Down, the Tempo clubman reckons he’ll have to take some time off work to recover from the combination of the match and the travel.
“On Monday I’ll probably have to take a few hours off because it’ll be a tiring weekend. I’d say it’ll be 11 o’clock anyway at least by the time we’re home [on Sunday night].”
“There’s no flights – not unless we buy a couple of cans of Red Bull,” he jokes.
A point or two would make all those road miles feel much more worthwhile and the 24-year-old is optimistic that Fermanagh can add a second victory in this section, having won in Down before losing at home to Galway last time out:
“It’s such a long journey for starters that you’re at a disadvantage already; it takes a lot out of you.
“Cork are a good team; the last year or two they have slipped a bit but they’re going to be formidable opponents, especially at home.
“It’s going to take a massive performance from us but we definitely do believe going down there that we can be confident of coming back with the two points.”
The similar standard of most of the sides in Division Two feeds into Breen’s belief about Fermanagh’s chances:
“This division, everyone beats everyone else. There’s no team, as far as I can say, that is going to pull away clear in front. There’s not much difference between any of the teams.
“There’s going to be a fine line between promotion and relegation. Our next two games are of vital importance, this game in particular, as to where you lie in the table, where you’re going to go: if you’re aiming to go up or aiming to avoid going down.”
Breen’s own position fluctuates up and down, but his scoring threat remains constant. After lining out as number seven against Down, he’s been switched since to the number 10 slot.
“The way the game is now, and the way we play, it doesn’t really make a difference whether you’re in the half-back line or the half-forward line.
“I usually play half-forward or midfield with the club, but I’d rather be coming from a bit deeper, from the half-back line – but you play where you’re picked.”
He’s actually the only man retained in the half-forward line from the side that started against Galway, with Eoin McManus and Ryan Lyons named instead of Cathal Beacom and Paul McCusker.
There’s a defensive boost as Mickey Jones comes back into the full-back line after ‘flu’ ruled him about against Galway, although he replaces the promising Cian McManus, who is suspended after his late red card. Lee Cullen takes over from Patrick Rehill at left wing-back, allowing Ryan Hyde to come into midfield.
The Erne defence will need to be on guard against the likes of Colm O’Neill and Paul Kerrigan, the attacking stars of a Cork side seeking a first League win in its first home outing, after a draw in Galway and defeat in Kildare.
Breen though re-iterates Fermanagh’s good mood ahead of this encounter: “We definitely don’t fear anyone but we don’t get carried away with ourselves either. We respect our opponents.
“We know we’re taking on a good team, on their home ground, who need the points – but we do believe we’re good enough and we’re looking forward to the challenge”.
Cork: TBC
Fermanagh: T Treacy; M Jones, C Cullen, B Mulrone; D McCusker, R McCluskey, L Cullen; E Donnelly, R Hyde; A Breen, E McManus, R Lyons; E Courtney, S Quigley, T Corrigan.
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).
