FERMANAGH’S resources for 2021 could be hit by the defection and absence of a handful of key players, with Ryan Jones and Tomás Corrigan among those believed to be mulling over whether to return.
The Irish News understands that Jones brothers Ryan and Conall, and Corrigan siblings Tomás and Ruairi are among those who have not been involved in the early stages of preparations for next year.
The four are all understood to have currently opted out for a variety of reasons.
Throw in the ongoing injury problems for Ultan Kelm, Ché Cullen being unlikely to be able to travel back and forward from Budapest for games as he did prior to 2020 and his brother Lee and Ryan Lyons both being in Australia, it leaves a significant hole in their resources.
Manager Ryan McMenamin is facing a serious headache of having to plan without them and fill the gaps they would leave behind.
The fact that some of their most naturally attack-minded players are among them creates a particular issue for a county that has struggled for scores in recent seasons.
Their Allianz League total of 3-76 was the lowest in Ireland outside the bottom half of Division Four.
Tomás Corrigan was their top scorer having retaken command of the frees following the departure of Sean Quigley, and the Kinawley man’s excellent performance was a rare bright spark in their championship defeat by Down.
Fermanagh were relegated from Division Two this year and are currently due to play in the northern section of Division Three next year along with Derry, Cavan and Longford.
The Ernemen had struggled in the early season and were then forced to play Clare having been seriously depleted by a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad, putting in a spirited performance but ultimately suffering a loss that saw them relegated.
Down scored a relatively comfortable victory in Brewster Park in their sole championship outing, after which McMenamin cast doubt on his own future before deciding to stay.
It will be his fourth year involved with the team, having served alongside Rory Gallagher when they reached a rare Ulster final in 2018.
Meanwhile, it was last night reported by The Ulster Herald that Tyrone duo Connor McAliskey and Lee Brennan are set for a return to inter-county football after being recalled by new joint-managers Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher.
