Fermanagh manager Peter Canavan was pleased with the victory over Sligo
THE shock defeat of leaders, Monaghan last Sunday, and Fermanagh’s impressive win over Sligo has left Peter Canavan’s men in top spot once more, and within a fingertip of promotion to Division 2.
“It’s a good situation to be in”, Canavan said this week.
They now play Meath away on Sunday week and a point there will do the job. But, as always, he is taking nothing for granted.
“Meath started off slowly, and I think the fact they have new management in, that’s going to take time to settle down. But, the longer the league has gone on, the stronger they have become, and I think the players are getting used to the manager, and vice-versa.
“They’re on the back of a good run. They had a good win over Sligo last time out, so it will be an interesting clash. Obviously, we will go along and see how they get on against Antrim this Sunday.”
For last Sunday’s game, half forward, Ryan Jones didn’t start owing to a lingering cold, but was brought on in the last 10 minutes.
Damien Kelly, who is normally a defender, came his stead and, didn’t disappoint his manager: “He had a steady game for us in a position that was unfamiliar to him, and week before he did a great job against Cavan, and Conor Quigley came on and made a massive difference
“With Barry (Owens) having served his one match ban, he will be available for the Meath game.
“So, it’s a good sign we picking up results despite missing all the players we’re missing.”
As to what has made the difference between this year and last, Canavan had no doubt where the credit rested.
“I suppose the fact we have been working with the players pre-season. We were able to get a bit of fitness work done that we didn’t get a chance to do last year, so they are much fitter and, when it comes to strength conditioning, the fact we had a year’s strength conditioning and weight training.
“It means they’re they are a physically stronger team than they were last year and, on top of that, the fact we had more time and, also, the fact they are now able to work on more aspects of their play, strategies and tactics.
“All of that has helped, and it has left us in a position that, maybe last year, we were struggling to put away teams in Division 4 whereas, now, they are in a much better frame of mind and they’re winning out games much better.”