Hi °C | Lo °C New Fermanagh manager Peter Canavan is under no illusions as he launches his bid to transform the fortunes of the beleaguered Ernesiders.
And the two-time Tyrone All-Ireland winner believes that there is a genuine desire within the county to rekindle the fire that brought the team into the All-Ireland semi-finals in 2004 and to the Ulster final in 2008.
“Let’s face it, Fermanagh have had a disappointing few years, there’s no getting away from that but I think that the men are there within the county who want to change this,” asserts Canavan.
“They want to do something positive about it and this gives me great encouragement for what is undoubtedly a big challenge. I am looking forward to trying to make things happen for them.”
Canavan will have to wait until January 1 before he can conduct his first squad training session because of the close season ruling but he intends to quickly make up for what he regards as lost time.
“I like to think that I have learned something from all the managers I have played under. Everything they did was for a reason and this is an approach that I have taken into management.
“I would hope that what I have gained from this I can now apply to my role with Fermanagh,” explains Canavan.
“Fermanagh is not in a good place at this point in time but with commitment and enthusiasm an improvement can be made,” adds Canavan.
He will come face to face with his former Tyrone manager Mickey Harte when Fermanagh meet the Red Hands in Section A of the McKenna Cup on January 18 at Healy Park, Omagh.
Before then, Canavan will make his debut as Fermanagh boss against Antrim at Brewster Park, Enniskillen in the McKenna Cup on January 8.
TYRONE VERDICT DUE, Page 57
