Declan McCusker says Fermanagh lifting Tailteann Cup would be ‘massive' as skipper targets Croke Park glory
FERMANAGH stalwart Declan McCusker admits championship silverware would be the stuff of dreams.
2
Declan McCusker of Fermanagh says winning the Tailteann Cup would be massive for the county
2
The Ernesiders face Carlow this weekend in their opening game of the Tailteann Cup
Their skipper, 34, joined the squad in 2011 and helped them reach the 2018 Ulster decider, which they lost to Donegal.
But the Tailteann Cup gives Kieran Donnelly's men hope. They bowed out in last year's quarter-finals against Sligo.
But McCusker hopes 2025 can bring big things ahead of Sunday's group stage opener at home to Carlow.
He said: 'It would be unreal. It would just be...to lift any trophy for Fermanagh, especially to lift one in Croke Park, it would be unbelievable, it would be massive - a dream come true.
READ MORE ON GAA
'I don't see the Tailteann as a slog, to me Fermanagh winning the Tailteann cup would be a massive, massive achievement.
'We're a very small county and numbers, we don't have big numbers and I think we have the fewest clubs in the country. So to win any competition would be huge.
'Although it's been the same the last few years, we've always been a number one seed and we sort of come in thinking we are good enough to win it and we've underperformed.
'Look at some of the other teams, Laois and Antrim have performed really well in the Tailteann Cup and we haven't so that's something we need to try and get right this year.'
Most read in GAA Football
But they have to do so without star man Ultan Kelm. The Erne Gaels clubman was all set for a move to the AFL last winter, but he remained on home soil.
A hip injury has sidelined him all year as he missed their entire NFL Division 3 campaign and their gutting Ulster SFC quarter-final loss to Down.
'It's a failure on the camogie association' - RTE GAA pundits don't sit on fence over 'no-brainer' skorts saga
And McCusker admits their hitman might not feature in their bid for Tailteann Cup glory either.
He said: 'Ultan Kelm has missed the whole league and he's still injured at the minute. It's his hip.
"A few years ago when he signed the contract with AFL he made a balls of his hip and then it kind of reoccurred.
'I actually don't know how far away he is, he's weeks away anyway. So whether he gets back to play for Fermanagh at all this year or not I don't know, it would be a massive boost if he could get him back.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time and TV channel is Offaly v New York on today in the Tailteann Cup?
Offaly lost to London last year in the Tailteann Cup, so they will be wary of another exiles side coming to O'Connor Park. Surely lightning can't strike twice? You'd imagine Mickey Harte would be too wise to allow that. Offaly lost to Laois last weekend, shipping 3-18. They beat Waterford by five and Wicklow by eight points. Their extra match practice should tell here, but they need an upturn in form. Interestingly, New York's former Kildare forward, Jack Robinson, is listed on the bench despite his five points against Galway in their Connacht Quarter-final defeat. Where is the game being played? The game is being played at O'Connor Park, Tullamore. What time is throw-in? Throw in is at 2pm. Can I watch the game on TV? No, the game is not on TV. Is the game being streamed online? Yes, the game is being live streamed on GAA+ Betting Odds: Offaly: 1/14 Draw: 16/1 New York: 17/2
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Tailteann Cup previews: Offaly steeled for clash with New York and eyeing up outright success
Saturday Offaly v New York, O'Connor Park, 2pm (Live on GAA+) New York gave a decent account of themselves in their Connacht SFC defeat to Galway in April but, if nothing else, that display should have forewarned and forearmed Offaly in advance of this clash. Offaly suffered a defeat to London in this competition last year, so that should also steel the Faithful. Offaly have enjoyed a positive season in which they secured promotion from Division Three in the league and this is a team eyeing up outright Tailteann Cup success. Verdict: Offaly Westmeath v Laois, Cusack Park, 5pm (Live on GAA+) Laois have been a real Jekyll-and-Hyde outfit during the Tailteann Cup. They beat Waterford, lost to Wicklow and then staged a last-gasp comeback to overcome Offaly. It's hard to know what to expect from them on any given day. Westmeath lost to Limerick by the minimum last weekend but Dermot McCabe's side were impressive winners over Antrim and London. And though relegated from Division Two, Westmeath did still spend the spring operating at a higher level than Laois, who finished just above the drop zone in Division Three. Verdict: Westmeath Sunday Wexford v Antrim, Wexford Park, 1.30pm Wexford need to put the disappointment of last week's defeat to Fermanagh behind them immediately and rediscover the form that propelled them to promotion from Division Four this season. Andy McEntee's Antrim are probably fortunate to have made the knock-out stages of the competition after some indifferent displays, but a long trip to Wexford could mark the end of the road for the Saffrons in 2025. Verdict: Wexford Sligo v Carlow, Tubbercurry, 2pm Carlow's defeat to Longford last weekend was one of the big surprise results of the round three fixtures. Longford had nothing left to play for but pride while Carlow had the chance to top their group and advance directly to the quarter-finals, so coming up short and delivering such a lacklustre display has to be a concern for the Barrowsiders. Sligo lost to Tailteann Cup favourites Kildare last weekend but the Yeats County look a better-balanced side than Carlow. Verdict: Sligo READ MORE
Irish Examiner
18 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA previews: Laois hurt provides necessary fuel for Joe McDonagh tilt
SATURDAY. Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals. Offaly v New York, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 2pm (D. Murnane, Cork) Live GAA+. There should be some trepidation about what a New York team bring to the competition. In their inaugural entry, they were only four points poorer than Laois last year and while personnel has changed they will be fresh at the very least. Offaly should be sore with themselves that they didn't qualify for the quarter-finals from the group stages. Verdict: Offaly. Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, 5pm (M. McNally, Monaghan). Laois's incredible finish against Offaly last weekend propels them into the last-12 game and their confidence contrasts with how Westmeath let slip a quarter-final berth against Limerick. If it comes down to the closing stages again, Laois will believe but Westmeath have the firepower to subdue them. Verdict: Westmeath. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals. Kerry v Cavan, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 12pm (N. Quinn, Clare). A difference class of challenge for Kerry and one they may find shackling at times. Nevertheless, they will be expected to win. Verdict: Kerry. Tyrone v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Ryan, Galway). The rising tide in Tyrone is lifting all boats and it could drown Cork here if they are not careful. A tight start required to give them a chance. Cork captain Cathal McCarthy successfully appealed the red card he received against Kerry two weeks ago, meaning the St Colum's man is free to play. Verdict: Tyrone. Roscommon v Louth, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm (P. Clarke, Cavan). Channel that Leinster final heartache and Louth can make the last four. Verdict: Louth. TG4 Football All-Ireland Ladies SFC, Round 1. Group 1. Galway v Tipperary, Tuam Stadium, 2pm (G. Chapman, Sligo). Galway finished first to Tipperary's third in Division 2 yet the points won difference was remarkable, Galway amassing 21 points to Tipperary's nine. Galway scored twice as much as their neighbours and only one result looks on the cards. Verdict: Galway. Group 2. Kerry v Mayo, Austin Stack Park, 2pm (J. Murphy, Carlow). Mayo have sure had their toils and heading to Tralee to commence their All-Ireland campaign looks an arduous one. Kerry have shown they can turn it on when they want it to but they can play within themselves to pick up the points here. Verdict: Kerry. Group 3. Meath v Armagh, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan). Armagh will be disappointed to have given up their league crown but they have moved from entertainers to contenders and Meath know they must absorb plenty of punishment to take anything from this opener. Verdict: Armagh. Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship, Round 3. Group 1. Clare v Limerick, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 2pm (B. Kearney, Kildare). Clare will go a long way to securing a knock-out spot with a win here and it's well within their compass. Limerick are a youthful side who are making in-roads but Clare have the advantage. Verdict: Clare. Wexford v Tipperary, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4pm (G. Donegan, Dublin). Tipperary were humbled by the All-Ireland champions but they can pick up their first points against a Wexford side who have lost two games on the bounce. Verdict: Tipperary. Group 2. Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 2pm (D. O'Callaghan, Limerick). Getting the home loss to Waterford out of their systems quick is the order of the day for Kilkenny. Dublin can be stubborn but it should be a second win for The Cats. Verdict: Kilkenny. Waterford v Derry, Walsh Park, 4pm (C. McAllister, Cork). Derry are looking like a fish out of water and after a famous win over Kilkenny, The Déise will be determined to sustain that momentum. Verdict: Waterford. SUNDAY. Joe McDonagh Cup final. Kildare v Laois, Croke Park 1.45pm (M. Kennedy, Tipperary) Live RTÉ. It's still difficult to square how Kildare topped a table, beating Laois in Portlaoise by 11 points along the way, yet were defeated by relegated Kerry in their opening round. The Lilywhites have been superb since turning their run around with a second round win over Westmeath and that belief they have generated is a potent weapon as much as Laois will be fuelled by what was a chastening win that almost derailed their promotion challenge. What's most impressive about Kildare this year is their spread of scorers as much as David Qualter is expected to oblige with the placed balls. Having been in a number of Christy Ring deciders, Croke Park shouldn't be too daunting for them either but this is a Laois side that has been exposed to Liam MacCarthy Cup opposition this year. Although they were often on the losing side, that should count for something. They sure could do with some of the experienced men they have lost since last year's final but there is enough nous and hurt in their ranks to complete the job. Verdict: Laois. Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals. Wexford v Antrim, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1pm (C. Lane, Cork). Another team kicking themselves that they didn't top their group, Wexford should be able to put behind them that loss to Fermanagh in Croke Park last weekend. Antrim are doughty but they might not be able to make this long trip worthwhile. Verdict: Wexford. Sligo v Carlow, Tubbercurry, 2pm (B. Cassidy, Derry). Goals were Sligo's undoing against Kildare in their battle for No1 position in Group 1 and here they face a revived Carlow side who will ask awkward questions of them. You would imagine Sligo will do enough to avoid a surprise defeat. Verdict: Sligo. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final. Offaly v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 3pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath). Offaly showed so much bottle in Newbridge but they can't be complacent here. Verdict: Offaly. TG4 Football All-Ireland Ladies SFC, Round 1. Waterford v Dublin, Fraher Field, 1.30pm (B. Redmond, Wexford). There is plenty of life remaining in this Dublin team as they demonstrated in their Leinster final win over Meath. Waterford finished ahead of them in the league on score difference and home soil helps but Dublin to squeeze by. Verdict: Dublin.
