Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath wants his side to meet the challenge of Tyrone head on when they clash in the Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup semi-final in Clones on Sunday.

McGrath watched his side comprehensively dispatch a poor Antrim side by 14 points at Brewster Park on Wednesday night to seal their place in the last four, and he is delighted to have at least one more competitive outing ahead of the league opener against Down in Newry.

“We now have an extra game going into the league which is pleasing. Obviously, Tyrone will be a big challenge but let's stand up to them and let's go at at them,” said McGrath.

Holders Tyrone are seeking their sixth successive McKenna Cup title but McGrath is hoping that his side will be able to go on and book their place in the final when the two sides meet on Sunday.

“Tyrone are a Division One team and they take this competition very seriously but I would like to think that we have taken this competition very seriously over the last few years as well. I think it is a great place to be in the semi-final and we'll be going out to try and play with confidence and with belief. We did so last year for 55 minutes and Eoin Donnelly got sent off which turned the game. We will be looking to give it our very, very best effort on Sunday,” he added.

The game against the Saffrons proved to be a comfortable evening for Fermanagh and McGrath was pleased that his side did not take the foot of the pedal as they knew they had to have a commanding win if they were to have any chance of progressing.

“We knew we had to win by a big margin and then rely on other results elsewhere. It was as much about keeping the score down as scoring high ourselves and the fact that we held them scoreless in the first half was a plus in that respect.

“We went out to keep focussed and to show no mercy to the opposition because this is what other teams to and at the end of the day we got through to the semi-final. Like every game there are positives and things that maybe weren't so good but when the dust settles, the fact that we got through to the semi-final, which was the objective prior to the competition, is very pleasing,” he said.