The current fallout between the Fermanagh Senior Ladies squad and the Ladies County Board is not the situation the players want to be in but it has got to the stage where they had to take a stand, according to Sarah McCausland.

The Fermanagh player, who plays her club football for Armagh side Carrickcruppen, said the letter issued by the players around grievances over the last year and which criticised the county board for their role in it was released to not only help the senior team but ladies football throughout the county.

“It’s frustrating. We as players never want to be in this situation. We just want to be able to focus on football and try to progress the senior team each year and build on the previous years.

“However, there were times this year where it was quite frustrating. Agreements were made at the start of the year, so we were going in to the year, with positive feelings, thinking that we had the full backing. But unfortunately, as the year came on, it became quite clear that wasn’t to be the case.

“We’ve got to the point now where we can’t really stand back as such and we’re trying to move things on, not just for our own teams, but all clubs and for the whole development of Fermanagh ladies football.”

Sarah stressed that the players do appreciate the efforts of those involved in ladies football but there are some who are not acting in the best interest of the county.

She added that there has been communications between the groups to try and set up a meeting but said that unless behaviours change little progress will be made.

There have been reports of players who will not return to the county set up if changes are not made, and McCausland confirmed she is one of those players.

And it is a decision she does not make lightly: “Playing for Fermanagh is one of the my proudest achievements and I’m not entering into that decision lightly.

“When you have been about the panel for quite a while and, obviously, getting older you don’t want to have to miss out on years of football and especially with the current group that we have.

“It’s such a good, positive group and there really is something special in the group that we have.

“I think it speaks volumes this year even though the results on the pitch weren’t going well, you’re still looking back and saying, that was still an enjoyable season, and that was very much down to the players in the squad, and the team.

“So, to walk away, obviously, that wouldn’t a decision I would be entering into lightly and I hope that it doesn’t come to that.

“But, in the current environment, it’s not beneficial to continue on unfortunately but, again, as I said, I hope it doesn’t come to that.

“I’m still trying to be as positive as I can in the situation and hope that the situation can be resolved. But in the current moment in time, I would find it difficult to return,” said the Irvinestown native.