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Fermanagh GAA thread

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Replying To AuldGussie:  "BREAKING: Kieran Donnelly steps down as Fermanagh boss! So, the search starts for a successor.

Fair play to coa_gael for giving us the heads-up earlier and so much for macca999's assessment that Donnelly was staying!"
He should have stepped down in 2024 after the shambolic end of that season. On the positive, new beginnings may be exactly what Fermanagh needs going forward. Good to the new successor. Also, good man coagael for keeping us abreast of the inside going ons.

The_Rat (Fermanagh) - Posts: 58 - 18/08/2025 13:58:05    2632476

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Yes coa_gael has the finger on pulse, as always, and unlike that macca guy... enough said about the latter. Anyway, I don't see Kieran's departure as a shock but just puzzling that it took so long for him to realise that the players or at least a sizeable proportion of them thought that a fresh management team would be better placed to develop and advance team to a level they deserved. Let's not forget that the players pour a lot of their time and effort in with little reimbursement and still having to earn a living or further their education. Whoever takes over will have a wealth of young players to work with and hopefully the future of the team flourishes in the seasons ahead.

erneboy (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1405 - 19/08/2025 09:50:32    2632596

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sounds like a softer version of the pete mcgrath ousting!

TurnipHead. (Fermanagh) - Posts: 256 - 19/08/2025 10:44:45    2632619

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Thanks guys for your comments. Next up, whispers suggest Declan Bonner is to be tentatively approached, so let's see if anything comes of it.

Coa_gael (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1189 - 21/08/2025 10:05:50    2632918

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Replying To Coa_gael:  "Thanks guys for your comments. Next up, whispers suggest Declan Bonner is to be tentatively approached, so let's see if anything comes of it."
He'd be a good shout for Fermanagh knowing the local scene, experience etc... I wish we had him in Leitrim I'll be honest.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1510 - 21/08/2025 10:29:58    2632920

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Replying To Coa_gael:  "Thanks guys for your comments. Next up, whispers suggest Declan Bonner is to be tentatively approached, so let's see if anything comes of it."
Does anybody remember what he said in the aftermath to his home clubs defeat to Lisnaskea in the Ulster Junior Club Championship in 2023??

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1350 - 21/08/2025 10:33:24    2632923

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Yes peiledoir20, I remember well what Declan Bonner said in defeat, "It was the worst refereeing I have seen in my life. Absolutely disgraceful," after five of his Na Rossa personnel including players Denis O'Donnell, Christian Bonner and Sean McMonagle along with Declan Bonner himself and physio Mickey McGlynn, were shown red cards by referee Richie Donoghue. The referee dealt with it properly as that behaviour on the day, wasn't acceptable!

SkeaLad (Fermanagh) - Posts: 514 - 21/08/2025 11:21:41    2632936

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Replying To SkeaLad:  "Yes peiledoir20, I remember well what Declan Bonner said in defeat, "It was the worst refereeing I have seen in my life. Absolutely disgraceful," after five of his Na Rossa personnel including players Denis O'Donnell, Christian Bonner and Sean McMonagle along with Declan Bonner himself and physio Mickey McGlynn, were shown red cards by referee Richie Donoghue. The referee dealt with it properly as that behaviour on the day, wasn't acceptable!"
Just read through a few pages of Fermanagh posts. Believe a case could be made for Donnelly going or staying. Definitely has left the team in a better place, but after 3 years in the job nowadays it becomes more difficult unless you are McGeeney or O'Rourke. However I have to laugh at the posters commenting on moving on with the young lads and then in the next breath wanting to bring back the Roslea man. Anyone with an ounce of wit should know that ship has sailed long ago and is well beyond the horizon. Wouldn't be so sure that Bonnar is the answer either. Good luck to Fermanagh and hopefully the progress will continue under your the new manager.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 799 - 21/08/2025 13:01:50    2632968

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Candidates for New Fermanagh Manager
- Maurice Mc Laughlin
- Declan Bonner
- Dom Corrigan
- Nigel Seaney
- Mark Mc Hugh

fermanaghboy123 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 5 - 22/08/2025 15:06:12    2633125

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Replying To fermanaghboy123:  "Candidates for New Fermanagh Manager
- Maurice Mc Laughlin
- Declan Bonner
- Dom Corrigan
- Nigel Seaney
- Mark Mc Hugh"
5 men who have huge experience
Declan as manager with Maurice and Mark McHugh in the back room team?

With mccabe going back to Cavan mark McHugh could be with him.

Kieran brought lots of young players through. Maurice being involved in the next senior management is good for continuity as knows the players well. Niall mcelroy also should be involved if his new role with st michaels allows???

Hear Owen Mooney with st Brigids in Roscommon. could he be involved to???

Important to build and keep the squad together

fermanagh.gael (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1 - 23/08/2025 01:54:52    2633174

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Replying To fermanagh.gael:  "5 men who have huge experience
Declan as manager with Maurice and Mark McHugh in the back room team?

With mccabe going back to Cavan mark McHugh could be with him.

Kieran brought lots of young players through. Maurice being involved in the next senior management is good for continuity as knows the players well. Niall mcelroy also should be involved if his new role with st michaels allows???

Hear Owen Mooney with st Brigids in Roscommon. could he be involved to???

Important to build and keep the squad together"


Bonner has managed Donegal , so has that county experience…

My Preference would be Dom Corrigan, Fermanagh man , players would have the respect for him, But he wouldn't definitely need a coaching team around him of guys that have been involved in county level management / coaching the in last few years .

fermanaghboy123 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 5 - 23/08/2025 13:10:02    2633207

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Replying To fermanagh.gael:  "5 men who have huge experience
Declan as manager with Maurice and Mark McHugh in the back room team?

With mccabe going back to Cavan mark McHugh could be with him.

Kieran brought lots of young players through. Maurice being involved in the next senior management is good for continuity as knows the players well. Niall mcelroy also should be involved if his new role with st michaels allows???

Hear Owen Mooney with st Brigids in Roscommon. could he be involved to???

Important to build and keep the squad together"
Maurice is a non runner .
He did nothing of note with the under 20s and won nothing with Erne Gaels when he was manager .
Bonner probably the best bet there .

Hearing chat of Karl Lacey being approached .
Micky Donnelly's name also being mentioned.
Surprised Sean Flanagans name is not being mentioned .
Not to many Fermanagh men have taken a Fermanagh club to an Ulster club final.

jimmy1 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 16 - 23/08/2025 22:16:19    2633276

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After first round of championship games any side standing out in particular
Big win for B.Leck on Friday evening over a Gaels side who have been poor enough all year ..
Teemore continued there league form winning the game in last 10 ..
Harps showed there championship experience with handy win over Skea
The champions & most people's favourites looked out of sight at half time , but struggled badly in second half ..

On another Front , Declan Bonner seems to clear Favourite for Fermanagh Job , if speculation is true , He & Mc Laughlin were the only two nominees from the clubs .
Unless the Co Board now approach possible Candidates, it will be his ….

fermanaghboy123 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 5 - 03/09/2025 18:38:17    2634799

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Replying To fermanaghboy123:  "After first round of championship games any side standing out in particular
Big win for B.Leck on Friday evening over a Gaels side who have been poor enough all year ..
Teemore continued there league form winning the game in last 10 ..
Harps showed there championship experience with handy win over Skea
The champions & most people's favourites looked out of sight at half time , but struggled badly in second half ..

On another Front , Declan Bonner seems to clear Favourite for Fermanagh Job , if speculation is true , He & Mc Laughlin were the only two nominees from the clubs .
Unless the Co Board now approach possible Candidates, it will be his …."
Big win for B. Leck, especially with big McGurn out for the year. He's a huge miss for them, but it shows they've got a much more solid squad now. Enniskillen still have a strong starting 15, but I'd argue they're lacking depth off the bench this year-seems like there's a shortage of upcoming players coming through.

Derrygonelly were always going to be comfortable against Skea. I was surprised Tom Clarke didn't start for Skea.

Ederney had the beating of Erne Gaels and made them look very average. I've heard the conditions were terrible.

I'd argue Teemore could be the dark horse for the championship this year-they look like a solid team all round.

Itown1234 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 51 - 04/09/2025 11:51:21    2634863

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First of all, shout out to Fermanagh TV-commentary has been very good this year. Great to see the likes of McGurn and Marty O'Brien involved in the coverage.

I think the second round of fixtures caught a lot of people off guard in the senior championship. Kinawley's comeback was class-they were well worth the draw. Erne Gaels looked flat. I've no doubt there's another gear in them, but the game against Teemore is massive now.

Ederney looked comfortable against Teemore. The scoreline doesn't really reflect the game. After a disastrous league campaign, they could be the dark horses for this year's championship.

Didn't catch the B'leck v Derrygonnelly or the Skea v Enniskillen games, so can't comment there.

This year's championship is wide open-there's easily five teams that could go all the way.

Itown1234 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 51 - 09/09/2025 10:32:44    2635427

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Replying To Itown1234:  "First of all, shout out to Fermanagh TV-commentary has been very good this year. Great to see the likes of McGurn and Marty O'Brien involved in the coverage.

I think the second round of fixtures caught a lot of people off guard in the senior championship. Kinawley's comeback was class-they were well worth the draw. Erne Gaels looked flat. I've no doubt there's another gear in them, but the game against Teemore is massive now.

Ederney looked comfortable against Teemore. The scoreline doesn't really reflect the game. After a disastrous league campaign, they could be the dark horses for this year's championship.

Didn't catch the B'leck v Derrygonnelly or the Skea v Enniskillen games, so can't comment there.

This year's championship is wide open-there's easily five teams that could go all the way."
Yes ederney looked well balanced, and carry a threat, they managed to get there injuries cleared up at the right time , I believe they will top the group now & go straight to semis …..

Harps again , like the week before showed there championship pedigree, they have the experience , & are well structured, at the minute, without doing a pile , they are comfortable & through to semis
B.leck are through to Q.final, I'd expect them to beat Skea in 2 weeks


Erne Gaels , most people's favourites , started but half's well, but struggled o build on there starts , they do carry a threat going forward, but questions defensively, Corrigan & Boyle caused them a lot of bother & with the new rules , don't understand Lyons at 6 ….
Great point for Kinawley….

Result of weekend has to be Skea, at times the Gaels could of been well ahead, but they dug in & got the scores , for the Gaels , massively disappointing this year, poor league finish & first side out of the championship for one of the main sides …

fermanaghboy123 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 5 - 09/09/2025 19:23:39    2635500

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The favourite candidate for the vacant county post, Declan Bonner has been interviewed making his pitch for the post to members of the County Board whilst the other known candidate, Maurice McLaughlin, his similarly posed in doing the same. I see no mention of macca's longtime favourite Dom, in the frame! Anyway, I'd say an announcement should be on its way soon.

TurnipHead. (Fermanagh) - Posts: 256 - 12/09/2025 13:54:27    2635869

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Well guys expect some appointment news shortly and no surprise is expected.

Coa_gael (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1189 - 15/09/2025 10:20:01    2636200

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Replying To Coa_gael:  "Well guys expect some appointment news shortly and no surprise is expected."
As always, you seem to be right on the mark. I believe Bonner is the best man for the job, even though he ultimately became the sole candidate after McLaughlin withdrew from the process at the last minute. It will be interesting to see who he chooses to bring into his backroom staff.

abc1234 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 413 - 15/09/2025 13:42:18    2636260

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BREAKING...Following tonight's County Committee meeting, Fermanagh GAA is delighted to confirm the county manager appointments for the 2026 inter-county season.

Senior Teams
Senior Hurling: Daithí Hand & Peter Galvin
Senior Football: Declan Bonner

Underage Teams
U20 Football: Ronan Gallagher
Minor Football: Pat Cadden (continuing into his 2nd year)
Minor Hurling: Cyril Dunne (entering his 10th year)

Fermanagh GAA extends its best wishes to all our managers and teams for the season ahead.

abc1234 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 413 - 15/09/2025 21:07:56    2636348

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