What's rare will always be wonderful for Fermanagh

The Fermanagh Herald front page on 18 December 1996 showed a beaming Cormac McAdam celebrating moments after helping the Erne County to the All-Ireland B title in Carrick-on-Shannon after a replay win over Longford.

The Fermanagh goalkeeper had collected the trophy from then GAA president, the late Jack Boothman, amid a huge pitch invasion from the travelling thousands. Included in the Fermanagh support that day were Owenie Callaghan, Jim Cassidy and Jim Breen – members of the Fermanagh team that had claimed the All-Ireland junior title in 1959.

Tears flowed readily. When McAdam addressed the crowd on the pitch afterwards, reporters could hardly hear what he was saying over the din.

Top scorer on the day was a certain Rory Gallagher, who last Sunday was involved in another pitch invasion as Derry earned a brilliant Ulster final win over Donegal. Kieran Donnelly, the current Fermanagh manager, also registered a point in the 0-12 to 0-09 win 26 years ago.

Finally Fermanagh, who famously – unfortunately so for those of an Erne persuasion – have never lifted an Ulster senior title – had a day to equal that 1959 success, a day when the supporters could feel on top of the world. One of only two times in their history that the Erne senior men's team could celebrate an All-Ireland success.

In the coming weeks, McAdam, who turned 28 two days after that final in Leitrim, is hoping that current captain Declan McCusker gets to experience a similar feeling in the Tailteann Cup. He wants the Ederney man to feel the same pride that he did in lifting an All-Ireland trophy for his county. It was one of the high points of his life.

"There was always talk of running an All-Ireland B and all the teams entered with good faith," McAdam said.

"At