The performance of Fermanagh was largely praised after their 2-23 to 2-15 defeat to Dublin in the All-Ireland Football quarter-final, however the response has been less positive to how players and supporters alike reacted to the Championship exit.
Sean Quigley scored one of the most bizarre goals the Championship has seen as part of his impressive haul of 1-08, and he posted this video of the Fermanagh team in good spirits on the journey home.
Enjoying the entertainment on route home. @tcorrigan714pic.twitter.com/KfPgu2vIQN
— Sean Quigley (@Sean_Quigley15) August 2, 2015
However the response to the video hasn't been hugely positive, and some have cricitised the team for being happy after they were knocked out of the All-Ireland Championship. Supporters have also been accused of being content with defeat.
A sing song on the team bus after losing an All Ireland quarter final. I don't get it either. #GAA
— Ronan McSherry (@RonanMcSherryUH) August 4, 2015
A supposed lack of a winning mentality was cited by the Irish News' Paddy Heaney, he commented that the messages of Fermanagh friends stated they felt “feel very morally victorious this evening.” While another commented “the craic was great yesterday.”
Heeney previously claimed that a proposed second tier system would be good for footballers in smaller counties who "should hate losing". However he relented that may not be case judging by the reaction of Fermanagh.
@TheSundayGame Fermanagh are seen as a weaker county. I would not want to play in a second tier comp and miss out on massive days like today
— Sean Quigley (@Sean_Quigley15) August 2, 2015
In response to Sean Quigley's tweet, Heeney responded:
So there you have it. If Fermanagh are a reliable gauge, then there is no appetite among weaker counties for a second-tier competition. Lo and behold, it is the taking part that counts. That amazes me.
He continued.
Last Sunday, referee Pádraig O’Sullivan awarded Dublin four free-kicks. That’s not a game of football. That’s a pity party. While Fermanagh might have been happy to get their day out in Croke Park, it remains to be seen if neutral viewers will continue to tune in to these non-events.
While smaller counties might be content to get ‘a big day’, the assets sheet could eventually convince the GAA to consider other options.
The response of Fermanagh is bound to divide opinion, needless to say if the top football counties dominance continues to coincide with poor Champinoship attendance the GAA will act.
If smaller counties really are content to lose matches against big opposition, and the gulf in competition isn't shortened, they may have no choice but to accept second-tier football in the future.
