Fermanagh’s All Time Tournament XI

Jul 24, 2020 | Press Releases

Pictured, Co Fermanagh celebrate socring against Spanish side Malaga in 2015

 

County Fermanagh secretary Ernie Conlon is one of the founding members of the Fermanagh setup and over the years Ernie has witnessed hundreds of talented young footballers from the Lakeland County participate in the competition.

 

Despite having one of the smallest available playing pools locally, the Erne County always rise to the challenge and last summer they were the only side to take points of an impressive Valencia side who won the Premier section.

 

Detailed below is Ernie’s selection for his Fermanagh XI and there are some familiar names among his starting line-up.

 

GK – Roy Carroll – We have always been blessed with very talented goalkeepers but Roy was the stand out goalkeeper in my eyes. He has gone on and played in some of the biggest tournaments in the world and it was fantastic to see him involved in our coaching team in 2017.

 

RB – Gareth Liggett – Gareth had a fantastic career in the Irish League, particularly with his hometown club Ballinamallard and he was always very calm and composed whenever he was on the ball.

 

CB – Robert Carroll – The older brother of Roy, ‘Bob’ as he was more commonly known was an incredible centre half. He went over and had trials with Arsenal on the back of his performances at the tournament but it didn’t work out and he’d a fine career in the Irish League.

 

CB – Leon Carters – Leon was one of the cornerstones of Ballinamallard United’s rise through the divisions. Alongside Mark Stafford, Carters formed a formidable centre half partnership. Leon was a tough tackling and aggressive centre half who really shone in the green of Fermanagh.

 

LB – Michael Kerr – Michael had the most incredible left foot and Fermanagh fans will have fond memories of some of the long range goals he scored for us over the years. It is great to see him doing so well as manager of Enniskillen Rangers.

 

RM – Kieran McKenna – Kieran was a very gifted footballer and I’ve no doubt he’d have been a future NI international if injury hadn’t curtailed his career. He really worked hard after retiring and we are all incredibly proud to see him in the dugout at Old Trafford as first team coach at Manchester United.

 

CM – James McKenna – James, the older brother of Kieran, was the complete central midfielder and he was integral in Ballinamallard United’s rise through the leagues and he was a mainstay in their team in the Premiership.

 

CM – Shane McCabe – Shane was a real winner. He was a driving force in the Fermanagh midfield and he was a regular in the Irish League Premiership for years. He was one of the coaches of our 2015 Premier side that brought home silverware!

 

LM – Mark McConkey – Oldest son of Harry McConkey, Mark was equally as comfortable on the left hand side as the right hand side. He’d great feet and after the tournament he went on to play for NI schoolboys and had a great career in the Irish League.

 

ST – Gary Bownes – Gary was one of the most gifted players to ever wear the Fermanagh jersey. He was a wizard with the ball at his feet and I was never sure which was his strongest foot. Sadly, Gary is no longer with us and we miss him greatly. Even when he had finished playing for Fermanagh he stayed involved in the committee and we honour him every year with our annual Gary Bownes Memorial Cup.

 

ST – Kyle Lafferty – What more can you say about big Kyle. A character if there ever was one and someone who has played in some of the biggest matches and competitions in Europe. Scored goals for fun for Fermanagh and we were so proud to see Kyle, Roy Carroll and Michael McGovern involved in the European Championships in 2016. 

 

You can follow updates from the Co Fermanagh STATSports Super Cup NI Committee by liking their page on Facebook.

 

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