PETE MCGRATH HAS ‘total belief’ that his Fermanagh squad can deliver a historic Ulster title in 2016.
The Ernemen and Wicklow are the only two football counties never to have tasted provincial success.
But after putting it up to Dublin in Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final, McGrath believes that this group are good enough to land the Holy Grail.
He said: “I think an Ulster title is everyone’s ambition so why should Fermanagh not be able to stand up and say, ‘Our objective for next year is to win our first ever Ulster Championship?’
I think it’s marvellous because no other county can have that as their objective – a first ever.
“But we have and it would be such a marvellous achievement for this group of players if they could go on and win a first ever Ulster Championship for Fermanagh. We have the players to do that and I don’t mind saying it.
“I don’t say that with any kind of arrogance – I say it with belief, total belief.”
Fermanagh outscored the Dubs by two points in the second half but it wasn’t enough as Jim Gavin’s side ran out eight-point winners and set up a semi-final against Mayo or Donegal.
Bookmakers could hardly split the favourites in the Race for Sam last night, making the Dubs a 5/4 shot and the Kingdom 6/4 after their 27-point walloping of Kildare.
“I certainly wouldn’t bet against (Dublin),” McGrath said.
Kerry were very impressive as well but all those qualities that we keep eulogising (Dublin) for, their athleticism, their fluency, their relentless work rate — their work rate really is unbelievable — it will take an exceptionally good team to beat them.
“Whether that team is out there, they may be. I think Dublin are a class apart.”
O Donohoe has balls of steel. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Galway seemed to have more quality but that Mayo hunger and never say die got them over the line again.
Great match to start the league
@Noel Lynn: again? Do they get over the lone a lot?
Maybe if Mayo had brought Enoch Burke in to the forward line they might have benefitted from his ability to create havoc and take a score. As it was, Galway gifted Mayo the draw by giving the ball away when in possession in the last play. We don’t mind throwing them a few crumbs now and again.
@Brendan Daniel Naughton: Galway defence is poor.Needs serious restructuring if we’re to get to an All Ireland final.
Cillian’s score was with his left foot, not fisted.
The author’s omission of the awarding of Galways last free is poor. The player slipped but good auld Joe Mc Q seen a foul. He does try God love him.
@Noel Lynn: was standing right beside it took his legs
@Noel Lynn: still blaming referees for previous defeats and current draws I see…drop that attitude and mayo might just win an all ireland in the next decade
@Noel Lynn: The free O’Donoghue won of Glynn was a pure con altogether, so I wouldn’t worry too much about any miscarriage of justice
@Colman Kelly: u see what I wanna see. Very clear on tv, no trip, he slipped
@Noel Lynn: you said it…you see what you wanna see. You didn’t want to see it was a foul
@Noel Lynn: Mayo drew?
Great game for the first round of the league. Mayo need a few more scoring forwards to reward all their great play.
@Richie Murphy: agreed and need more direct play. That over and back shite is costing the 50%more scores
@Noel Lynn: totally agree as a mayo man I would worry bout that come championship Galway were way better breaking through our defence with runners something mayo found hard to do
The black card needs to be amended to take into account the stoppages. This craic of laying on the floor for 3 minutes every free to kill time is ruining the flow of the game.
What was the point of bringing on aiden o shea on?
@itzme: to give him a run I assume?
Will never tire of seeing Mayo
putting Galway back in their box!
@James Flynn: they didn’t though and they never have put us back in our box or any box . #bottlers
@Finnster: ha knew I’d tempt you out Finnster!
Bottlers? you’d know Galway
hurlers record?
They invented the word
@James Flynn: 26062 days and counting lad
The GAA and the draw….