Football

2018 Fermanagh Club Allstars revealed

Paul MCCusker is sandwiched between Mickey Jones and Tiarnan Daly. Picture by Donnie Phair.
Paul MCCusker is sandwiched between Mickey Jones and Tiarnan Daly. Picture by Donnie Phair. Paul MCCusker is sandwiched between Mickey Jones and Tiarnan Daly. Picture by Donnie Phair.

FERMANAGH CLUB ALLSTARS

1: Jack Kelly (Derrygonnelly)

He may have played behind an imperious defence but the reality is that Kelly only conceded one goal in three games in the Fermanagh Championship, and that came from the penalty spot.

He may have had less to do than other goalkeepers but he dealt with what he had to do well. Solid with his handling and with an effective kick out Kelly can be happy with his first full year in goals for the county champions.

2: Eamon McHugh (Derrygonnelly)

McHugh has been one of the tightest marking defenders in the county for the past number of years. Always assigned one of the opposition’s dangermen he gets on with his job with real confidence.

Extremely pacy and with equal tenacity McHugh has also added the ability to surge forward with real purpose this season. At times he found himself in the half back line and was equally adept there as in the full back line.

3: Tiarnan Daly (Derrygonnelly)

Daly was a welcome return from injury to the Derrygonnelly ranks for the Championship and performed with his customary quiet efficiency.

He gets the job done with minimal fuss at full back. Strong in the air he is also quick over the ground and can be relied upon to provide a safe and secure anchor in that full back line.

The Harps’ defence was brilliant right through the championship and Daly was a vital component in that defence.

4: Michael Jones (Derrygonnnelly)

Mr Reliable. Jones has been without question the Harps best defender during their four in a row run in Fermanagh football. More often than not Jones is given the task of marking the best forward on the opposition and more often than not he wins that personal duel. Unassuming in his manor of play Jones can go through a game somewhat unnoticed at times. The same can be said for his direct opponent however and that is Jones’ best quality.

5: Aaron Dennison (Ederney)

The modern game is built for half backs like Dennison. Boundless energy the Ederney man was equally efficient in his attacking duties as he was in his defensive duties this season.

A man who is always “good for a point of two” he is the launchpad of much of what Ederney do well in an attacking sense.

He doesn’t neglect his marking job though, and can be relied upon to perform this to a high level too.

6: Ultan Kelm (Erne Gaels)

Erne Gaels lost out to Ederney in the semi-final and needed two bites of the cherry to see off Tempo in the quarter-finals and in all three games Kelm brought his 'A' game.

A terrific talent who can mix the composed and stylish play of a ball playing centre half back with the aggressive tough tackling of a more imposing number six.

A young player with a very bright future in the game.

7: Garvan McGinley (Derrygonnelly)

The real quality of a team can be seen in the progression of their players over a period of time and in McGinley Derrygonnelly have a player who has steadily improved his game over the course of his career.

In his 30’s now he shows no sign of stopping that upward curve and was excellent once again this year.

Very good going forward and he did a brilliant defensive job on Declan McCusker in the county final.

8: Martin McGrath (Ederney)

Life in the old dog yet.

McGrath was a driving force for Ederney in their march to the final.

A typical wrecking ball run in the semi-final that saw him absorb a bone crunching hit only to lay off the ball to set up the winning goal epitomised perhaps not only his impressive season but also his entire career.

His team failed to fire in the final yet he was still impressive in everything that he did.

9: Ryan Jones (Derrygonnelly)

There is not a more influential club player in the county at the minute than Jones.

When Derrygonnelly require a drop of inspiration in games it is invariably Jones who delivers it.

His ball winning ability is obvious but his scoring touch is something that so many teams find difficult to handle.

A goal and three in the final along with an unheralded defensive contribution marks Jones out as the complete player.

10: Chris O’Brien (Devenish)

The long time corner forward moved out to the half forward line this season for Devenish and did so with great effect.

An excellent ball winner his pace has always struck fear into defenders and he also possesses an eye for a score.

He was brilliant in his side’s win over Teemore in the quarter-final and while Devenish were put to the sword by Derrygonnelly in the semi-final O’Brien acquitted himself well.

11: Garvan Jones (Derrygonnelly)

The youngest of the Jones brothers on the Derrygonnelly team Garvan has had a year to remember.

Lining out at centre half forward his ability to drift into the middle of the field and collect possession has been vital to the Harps cause.

His direct running is also a major asset to his team and he has developed his composure in the final third to become a real threat on the scoreboard.

An excellent player who will only get better in years to come.

12: Declan Cassidy (Derrygonnelly)

There were games where Cassidy lined out at wing half-back and others where he dropped back from a half forward position. Wherever he played he was always a major influence on proceedings.

A brilliant leader and break ball winner Cassidy is also an excellent reader of the game.

He can score too when the chance presents itself but his greatest quality is his total unselfishness for the team.

Whatever is asked of him he will do and more times than not do it very well.

13: Paul Ward (Derrygonnelly)

Ward continues to deliver year in and year out for the Harps.

And he is most definitely a player for the big occasion scoring a goal and three points in the decider against Ederney.

The goal was the hammer blow that put the game beyond doubt stretching his side’s lead to six points.

Always alert, always showing for possession and always looking to be positive, Ward is still one of the best club forwards in Fermanagh.

14: Paul McCusker (Ederney)

Martin McGrath is a dominant figure around the middle for Ederney but it could argued that Paul McCusker is the heart and soul of this team.

Obviously injured and curtailed in the final he still makes the selection because of his leadership, ability and performances against Belcoo and Erne Gaels in earlier rounds.

A scorer who can also win frees, set up his team-mates for scores and work tirelessly throughout.

He is the complete package.

15: Mark McCauley (Ederney)

McCauley had a brilliant championship hitting 17 points between frees and play over the course of three games.

An excellent ball winner he also has the ability to bring his team-mates into the game setting up both goals in the quarter-final clash with Belcoo.

A dangerous forward who has a bright future, and if he can continue his fine form from 2018 then Ederney might well be back competing for a county senior championship in 2019.