The delighted Fermanagh Ladies squad and management celebrate
A year after one of the most difficult days in his managerial career, a day full of tears and high emotion as Fermanagh suffered a heavy loss to Leitrim, Emmett Curry stood in St Tiernach’s Park surrounded by his players, a comfortable victory over Derry achieved by a mixture of those who have been here before and those making a first visit to the home of Ulster football.
There was emotion now too, but the tears were for happiness. Eimear Smyth had just scored 3-4 as Fermanagh claimed the provincial junior crown.
“If she’s good enough, she’s old enough. I had Eimear for two year’s and we won an underage development league last year, I knew what she could do.
“Any other person in my position today wouldn’t have given her the chance, but I did and look what she done.”
Curry, has had remarkable belief in his players and on Sunday they repaid in spades. The manager will now focus Fermanagh’s attentions on the all-Ireland series.
“There were a few who questioned us for regrading, we are rebuilding it was what we needed to do and those girls gave everything today, I’m so proud but it’s just another step in the right direction for us.”
Smyth was outstanding throughout the contest, within minutes of her first run out at Clones she was in the spotlight as she stepped up to a penalty and slotted the ball to the net.
A second penalty nestled in the same corner shortly after the restart and for good measure she rattled home a cracker on the run. Cool on the park and cool off it too.
“I enjoyed my run out here at Clones and it’s better when you play well, It’s not just a huge achievement for me but for the girls too, it’s where we wanted to be all year and we have got here and we are just delighted to get the win.”
Smyth who made an impression through the division four league campaign picked up the player of the match award, no real surprise but she played down her role in this high octane win..
“I wasn’t expecting that at all, our keeper Roisin Gleeson played really well and she made a couple of great saves, but it was great to get the award.”
Posted: 7:14 pm July 6, 2017