We just want to be winners: McGrath

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

By John Campbell

Fermanagh captain Martin McGrath quotes just one statistic which he feels should be sufficient to have his side on their toes for Sunday's Ulster Championship showdown with Monaghan at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

"Monaghan were just beaten by a point in the All Ireland semi-final last year. As far as we are concerned, that's all there is to say about Seamus McEnaney's side. No team has run Kerry that close recently - it's the only warning that we require," maintains McGrath.

The long-serving midfield ace goes into the contest anxious that his side should erase the kind of mistakes they made in the recent Division Three final against Wexford.

"Wexford punished our mistakes very cynically in that game by getting goals. They made mistakes themselves but we certainly did not punish them nearly as hard," admits McGrath.

When Fermanagh crashed through to the All Ireland quarter-finals in 2004, McGrath was a pillar of their side. And he remained a key component during '05 and '06 during which time the Ernesiders did not just enjoy the same level of progress.

"No, those were difficult years and last year was also disappointing. But we now have the chance to go forward. Malachy O'Rourke has his own style of management and the players are responding very well.

"The boys know that they can always improve and we know we will have to reach a new level if we are to do anything this year," points out McGrath.

He may have been overshadowed by his midfield partner Mark Murphy when Fermanagh fell to Wexford in the Divisional final - the latter scored five points in that game - but McGrath is nonetheless delighted to see Murphy and others stepping up to the mark.

"Every player knows he can improve. If you play well today, you know you can play even better tomorrow. I would love to see this Fermanagh team as a whole flourish against Monaghan but it's not going to be easy. We all know that Monaghan have been playing against some very good sides and they will be keen to take over in the championship from where they left off last year," maintains McGrath.

While he has enjoyed his tenure in the side, McGrath candidly admits that " we have won nothing."

He added: "Much was made of our charge into the All Ireland semi-finals in 2004 but what he we win? Nothing. Look, we want to be winners. When it comes to the end of your career people will only want to recall what you have won.

"At this point in time we would have to say 'nothing'. We certainly don't want that," states McGrath.

"The Ulster Championship title is our main aim. There are no ifs or buts. We have our sights fixed on that crown - we don't want to flatter to deceive."

Fermanagh manager Malachy O'Rourke will name his side later in the week for his Ulster Championship baptism against Monaghan at newly-refurbished Brewster Park.