 Corrigan praises some of the youngsters tossed in at deep end |
Fermanagh manager Dom Corrigan praised his side following their Ulster Championship quarter-final success over Donegal on Sunday.
Despite the loss of a number of quality players, Corrigan's young squad had the better of exchanges at Brewster Park.
''I am really pleased at the outcome,'' said Corrigan. ''After last season's effort, I thought we came back well with a good league campaign.
''I thought it was a particularly good performance in that we had lost so many key players coming into the game. Losing Tom Brewster on Friday night with injury was shattering.
''But like all good men when they are backed into a corner they can fight their way out of it.
''I thought all the players fought extremely well, and I am proud the way they handled themselves.
''I had to throw in a number of young players, but I had faith in them, and they repaid that faith.
 It was one of the worst displays I've ever seen from a Donegal side |
''I have been working with them for many a year, and I know that they have the quality at this level and they did exceptionally well.
''But I cannot take away the effort put in by the seasoned players like Paul Brewster, Stephen Maguire and full-back Barry Owen who was exceptional throughout.
''Really the whole team played their part in the victory.
''To beat Donegal with so many key men out was going to take a monumental effort and that's exactly what I got from the players,'' said Corrigan who is just prepared to savour the occasion.
''I'm not looking that far ahead. I think Clones will be the venue for our semi-final against Down or Monaghan.
''But I just want enjoy Sunday's success, and we will think about Down or Monaghan later.''
Donegal boss Brian McEniff was scathing about his team's performance.
"We didn't have the hunger or the spirit that Fermanagh had," said the Donegal boss.
"We played some stupid football. We were terrible.
"If we had taken a couple of chances, the game could have been close near the end but we wouldn't have deserved to have won that match.
"We lost the midfield battle and the tactical battle.
"It was one of the worst displays I've ever seen from a Donegal side".
Overall, it was a dour, rough and tumble with several punches thrown during the 70 minutes.
TV replays caught Paul Brewster landing a blow on John Gildea early in the second half but it remains to be seen whether the Games Administration Committee will feel it necessary to investigate the incident.
MMIX
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