TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship relegation play-off: Fermanagh v Longford (Tomorrow, Mullahoran, 2pm)
FERMANAGH manager Jonny Garrity believes his side has what it takes to save their intermediate championship status in tomorrow’s winner-takes-all relegation play-off with Longford.
It’s hard to believe that some eight months after winning the All-Ireland Junior title as Christmas loomed, Fermanagh are now battling against an immediate return to the junior ranks. Making the step up into the middle tier is not always plain sailing and Garrity acknowledges it has been a difficult transition and they find themselves in this last chance saloon after their latest defeat at the hands of Offaly last weekend.
“We are going into this game knowing that we have to show good defensive solidity and if we manage to do that and put in a good level of attacking play then there is absolutely no reason why we can’t win it it,” he said.
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“We know it’s the final game and with that comes the clarity in the job we have to do and hopefully that drives us on into a really really strong performance on the day.”
What is probably most frustrating for Garrity is that they have not been outplayed or outclassed in their games but the results have went against them because of fine margins in the game that ultimately cost them.
“We have went into every game this season believing we can defeat the opposition and this one is no different. Ultimately we have to hold our hands up and say the challenge at intermediate level has been difficult on the girls but the games we have lost have been very, very narrow margins so it is a case of trying to learn from each game and trying to put your best foot forward.
Offaly ran out five point winners in a performance, Garrity feels was below par and defensively they need to tighten up if they are to record what would be just their only win of the season, but undoubtedly the most important one.
“It was another game you look back on several instances over the hour where small margins cost us and we wouldn’t have been overly happy with the performance,” he said.
“We expect a response and we expect an improved showing and if we can manage to do that from the last day out then I think we have got a real chance, that’s not to trivialise in any way the magnitude of the challenge in front of us because we have a really, really good team who will be determined to win the match in Longford so it’s going to be a tough task but we have belief in the girls and certainly hope they have belief in themselves.”
