DRESSED TO IMPRESS…Smiling Fermanagh ladies, Bridget Traynor, Veronica Reed and Katrina Reed, who are looking forward to the final pictured with their new Fermanagh tops.
IF YOU want to see exactly just how immense the support is for Fermanagh in the Ulster final then look no further than O’Neill’s in Enniskillen.
The sports shop is currently a microcosm of craic from around the county, a nerve centre of hype and excitement. When the Herald visited on what should’ve been a quiet Tuesday morning, it was thronged with fans in to pick up tickets for the big game, a new jersey, or both.
Manager Luke Weaver said: “It’s been crazy. The place has gone absolutely mental. You couldn’t keep jerseys in stock at all.”
In fact, the shop had totally run out of green tops yesterday morning (Tuesday), but Luke said a new batch would be in by this morning.
“We got hundreds in last Friday and they’re completely gone,” said Luke. “With the new jersey as well, that’s just come out this year. People have gone mad looking for it.”
Luke, who is himself looking forward to the game in Clones, said the shop had been there eight years and they’d never seen support like it.
“It’s everybody, too. Women, men, children.
“They’re coming from everywhere. You even hear of ones coming from other countries. England, Australia, they’re all coming back for it. It’s brilliant.”
He added: “Last year we got the ladies jerseys in, it didn’t go too crazy but they did sell very well. There was a great buzz about that too, but this is just another level.”
With the shop expected to get even busier as the week goes on, ticket sales are also flying. Luke said there were even people who’d never been to a game before coming in enquiring.
When the Herald was in on Tuesday, those there for both tickets and tops were certainly not newbies to the game.
Gerry Maguire was in with a friend, who was in to kit the family out in green and white.
“It’s all go here, hi, ” said the Lisnaskea man Gerry Maguire. “I’m all ready to go, though. I can’t wait.”
Fellow Lisnaskea man Greg Copeland was also well sorted himself, but was in getting tickets and a shirt for his son.
“There’s a fantastic buzz about,” he said, adding message for the team.
“The best of luck to Fermanagh, Rory and all the boys, and of course big Tom from Lisnaskea. I think they’ll do the job.”
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