O?Rourke central figure for Fermanagh and Cavan Gaels
THE newly installed Ferman-agh senior team-manager Malachy O'Rourke is in a unique position of guiding Cavan Gaels towards a possible provincial title while at the same time fulfilling his role with Fermanah county team.
O'Rourke will vacate his post with the Cavan champions as soon as the Ulster campaign is over and for the town team that will hopefully be at the end of a title-winning campaign.
O'Rourke will lead Cavan Gaels into the quarter-finals of the Ulster club competition against Antrim side St Gall's at Casement Park on Sunday week.
In his first year with Cavan Gaels having guided Tyrone's Errigal Ciaran to last year's Ulster semi-final and taken Derry side The Loup to the 2003 Ulster title.
He now hopes to go all the way with the Cavan town side having successfully overcame a tough St Eunan's, Letterkenny side at Breffni Park last Sunday.
O'Rourke has plenty of experience as a player and coach. His playing career included Derrylin O'Connell's 1985-1995; Errigal Ciaran 1996-200 and Fermanagh senior team 1986-1990. Honours include Intermediate championship winner in 1986 and 1987; Sigerson Cup winner 1989 and Tyrone senior championship medal in 1997. His managerial career includes Monaghan side Tyholland and Loup, Derry, Errigal Ciaran and Cavan Gaels.
Ready for challenge
In his role as Fermanagh team manager, O'Rourke has said that no stone will be left unturned as he begins his tenure as manager.
"For anybody that gets involved in managing and coaching the ultimate challenge is to manage your own county and I'm glad that the county board have given me the chance.
“In 2003 I was preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final with Loup and I thought at that stage that it would have been unfair on them to leave.
"Also I probably have a few years extra experience now. I have experienced different teams and players, and you come across different problems.
“I feel that this is the right time and I think I'm ready for the challenge of managing Fermanagh.
"I have been with a number of clubs over the last number of years and dealt with a number of very good players but it would be right to say that this job is a further step up the ladder".
Tough task in Belfast
O'Rourke and his Cavan Gaels side have a tough task ahead of them when they meet Antrim champions, St. Gall's in the next round of the Ulster competition.
It is a challenge they are looking forward to against one of the top sides in the province.