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22 Oct 2025

Drumshanbo based Ryan Jones hopes Leitrim make it through after Fermanagh's Tailteann Cup victory

Drumshanbo based Ryan Jones hopes Leitrim make it through after Fermanagh's Tailteann Cup victory

Fermanagh's Ryan Jones chats to the Observer after Saturday's game Picture: Willie Donnellan

It wasn’t exactly a homecoming but Ryan Jones had a better idea than most of what he and his Fermanagh teammates were heading into last Saturday in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada as the Derrygonnelly clubman actually works as a pharmacist in Drumshanbo and was more than aware of what awaited.

The proud operator of RJS Pharmacy out of Scollan’s Gala in Drumshanbo, the last few weeks have been a rare opportunity for Ryan to mix business and sporting careers and endure a good bit of good natured banter as he faced Leitrim for only the third time in his career and the first time in a championship setting.

Speaking to the Observer after Fermanagh’s 1-19 to 2-7 Tailteann Cup victory, Ryan said “Leitrim is a very, very passionate football county and obviously I’m in the pharmacy in Drumshanbo and there was great craic all week, probably even as soon as the draw was made. It's not that often I’ve played Leitrim, I played them back in the League in 2011 and maybe in Enniskillen in 2013 so this is only my third time but they are a really passionate footballing county and I’d be delighted if they got through in their last game against Wexford.”

Fermanagh’s powerhouse midfielder landed two points in the nine point victory but Ryan believes he and his teammates have lots to work on, despite a convincing win: “I thought to be honest, the first five minutes, we were slow to start and Leitrim got their tails up, got the first few scores on the board but we settled well.”

Leitrim’s two goal blast at the start of the second half will probably lead to a few inquests in the Fermanagh dressing room, even if Ryan was pleased with how Fermanagh reacted to those set-backs: “It was one of the things we talked about at halftime was that we wanted to come out really strong but to be honest, we didn’t and it is something we have to look at because it was the same last week against Wexford.

“There is a lot of things that were positive in our performance today but there is going to be a few things we have to look at and obviously the two goals is one of those so happy to get out of here and get a result because I know Leitrim are very competitive here in Carrick-on-Shannon.

“But I thought we settled into the second half really well, took control of the game and I supposed we scored 1-19 which is pretty good scoring. We had a lot of guys coming off the bench put in really good performances, it is a serious tough task even picking 15 for the management team and every man is fighting to get on that management team and we really pushed on.”

Leitrim and Fermanagh fans out in force for Tailteann Cup clash - GALLERY

Leitrim and Fermanagh fans turned out in good numbers to cheer on their counties in the second round of the Tailteann Cup in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada with the visitors taking the spoils on a 1-19 to 2-7 scoreline. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was busy snapping fans at the game .... see who you can spot!

Next up for Ryan is a top of the table clash with Antrim and the Fermanagh boys are fully intending on booking an automatic place in the quarter-finals: “For us, top of the table clash, we were disappointed last week when we drew with Wexford but we still said to ourselves, it is still in our own hands, that we can still top the group if we win our next two games. 

“That’s what we want to do, you want to go straight through to the quarter-final without having an extra game. The next day against Antrim, we realise it is going to be another step up - they’ve had two convincing wins as well.”

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