Fermanagh will go into the U-21 final as the undoubted underdogs as they come up against the current All-Ireland champions and one of the favourites for the title again this year,Tyrone. Underdogs is something that will not bother either Dominic Corrigan or his players and they will try to use it to their advantage.

    Fermanagh have performed very well to date in the competition when accounting for Donegal, Derry and Cavan . As with all Dominic Corrigan sides their is a great work ethic within this team with everybody willing to help one another and that will be a factor which will be very important when they play Tyrone. This team has also shown great character when they have been up against it especially in extra time in the Derry game when they were down to thirteen men.

    Tyrone though are justified in their tag as favourites. They disposed of a highly fancied Down side in the quarter finals before beating Monaghan in the semi final. They have among their ranks some of the most highly rated young players in the country and have had wonderful success at underage levels over the last few seasons.

    Tyrone are strong throughout the field but most particularly in the half forward line where they have Eoin Mulligan, Brian McGuigan and Stephen O’Neill all of who have made a name for themselves in the Tyrone senior side this year. It is imperative that the Fermanagh half back line does not let them settle on the ball as they will severely punish any mistakes or lapses in concentration.

    Fermanagh’s defence has been very solid to date and that is going to have to continue if they are to come out victors on Saturday. They concede little from play and corner back Ryan McCluskey has probably been their best player throughout the championship so far.

    Midfield could well see the winning of the match for either side. In the Tyrone midfield Cormac McAnallen is a doubtful starter and if he does not start it will definitely be to Fermanagh’s advantage as he is a very accomplished player. Along side him is Kevin Hughes, a member of last years team and a very strong player. For Fermanagh though Martin McGrath has been in tremendous form of late and has put in two dominating performances against Derry and Cavan where he was constantly up and down the pitch and was inspiring those around him. In Barry Owens he has a very able partner in the middle of the field.

    As with Tyrone, Fermanagh are also blesssed with some very talented forwards. On the “40” will be Ronan McCabe who is Fermanagh’s top scorer to date with 18 points from the three matches so far. McCabe is a powerful and intelligent footballer who is very accurate from both play and frees and it is important that he is on form. Mark Little is a great ball winner at full forward and has a real eye for goal with three so far during the campaign and beside him Brendan McBrien was in superb scoring form in the last round against Cavan.Their is certainly enough talent in the Fermanagh forward line to give the Tyrone defence a lot of trouble.

    Fermanagh will look to move the ball quickly out of defence into the forward line where to date the movement of the forwards has been exceptional.