LOOKING AHEAD… Pete McGrath
Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath demonstrated the experience he has by refusing to get ruffled by the cancellation of Fermanagh’s McKenna Cup clash with St Mary’s on Sunday.
Armagh referee consulted with both managers before calling off the fixture at 1:30pm, just a half an hour before throw in. Patrons had already started to arrive but anyone who had paid in received a free ticket for tonight’s re-fixture.
McGrath though was unperturbed by the thought of having three tough games in seven days preferring to dwell on the positives;
“That is what we have a squad for. We will want to get a look at everyone in the squad. The schedule of three matches in seven days doesn’t really bother me an awful lot because we will be looking at our full compliment. It will be a bit more compressed but hopefully we will get through it.”
McGrath though admitted that there was a sense of frustration among the players that they were unable to get 2014 up and running;
“When any match is called off there is always an anticlimax, particularly when we had a very good preparation for the game. We had a very good team meeting in the hotel and the players were obviously very hungry for the game and there was a great sense of expectation and they were looking forward to it,” the two time All Ireland winning manager explained before adding that he felt that Padraig Hughes had made the right decision to call the game off;
“I think when a group has worked hard and this group has then you come to your first competitive match and it is called off there is of course disappointment but there is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was taken by the referee. The pitch in areas was very very treacherous and I think the prime concern has to be player welfare and player safety.”
The Down native was also full of praise for the work that his Fermanagh players have been putting in since his arrival although it is also clear that he is keen to get things going in terms of competitive action;
“It is disappointing but we can live with it. I suppose the McKenna Cup is ultimately for managers to see what players are doing and what players can do and that is particularly relevant for me because I am new to the job here. But I have to say that the players have been working hard and we could not have asked any more from them to date.”
In seven days time McGrath and his Fermanagh side should have three games under their belts and the new Erne boss will have a much better idea where he stands and what the rest of the season may hold.