Owens broke the news after the Laois defeat
Following Fermanagh’s exit of the All Ireland Qualifiers, it is understood that the experienced Barry Owens is retiring from inter-county football.
It is believed the popular Owens broke the news to his fellow players and coaching staff following Saturday afternoon’s narrow one point exit to Laois.
Owens, Fermanagh’s only double All Star, in 2004 and 2006, came back into the Fermanagh squad this season under Pete McGrath and played in a number of positions in the National League and the Ulster Championship.
The versatle Teemore player has come back from several career threatening injuries to play at the top level after making his debut for the Erne county in 2001 when he came on for manager John Maughan against Donegal in Ballybofey.
His inter-county career has spanned 13 years from 2001 to 2014 in which time he reached an All Ireland semi final and an Ulster final.
He has won one senior championship for his club side Teemore and played in a number of county finals.
His manager Pete McGrath said he would be hoping to convince the older players to stay on and that Barry Owens would certainly benefit from a full year’s training.
McGrath is looking for a settled squad and saw Owens as part of that. He was hoping to have the Teemore man for at least one more year to bring younger players through