The McMahon Healthcare Fermanagh SFC gets underway on Saturday evening with a double header in Derrygonnelly.

Tempo v Devenish Saturday July 25 Derrygonnelly 6pm Tempo’s Championship credentials should be severely tested in Derrygonnelly this Saturday evening as the McMahon Health Care SFC swings into action, this the first of four championship games over the course of the weekend.

A win for either side then would pit them against the winners of Erne Gaels or Enniskillen, the second game in a double header in Derrygonnelly on Saturday evening.

Devenish have not tasted SFC glory since 1996 and although in recent times they made three semi-final appearances between 2009-2011 the last two years have saw disappointing first round exits at the hands of Lisnaskea and last year to Teemore.

Devenish joint manager Bart O’Brien knows his side face a difficult test if they are to overcome a Tempo side who will be eyeing up another tilt at the New York Cup.

“It’s going to be a very interesting game. Tempo are favourites and, rightly so. They are going well of late in the league, but it will be all about what happens on the day,” claimed O’Brien. “I have always said Devenish have as good a team as any other club in Fermanagh. Our fitness is good, we have trained well, and I’m confident the lads will give it a good shot. Daryl Keenan is a big, big player for them but we know they consistently have top performing players and under John McElroy they will be as well prepared as any county team would be.” The Devenish side will go into the game monitoring the fitness of Martin O’Brien, the Fermanagh ace only made an eight minute substitute appearance in last Sunday’s defeat to Roslea and the loss of O’Brien would be a severe blow to the Garrison side’s chances.

Tempo come into the game on a fine win over Belcoo last week in the league. Daryl Keenan will once again be the go to man with supporting roles to the likes of Ryan Bogue and Niall McCusker.

Ryan Keenan will also be returning from his teaching post in England, while at the back Tempo are well equipped to stop the likes of John O’Flanagan and Chris O’Brien with Aidan Breen and Rory Foy manning the full back line with the experienced Declan Campbell.

Tempo goalkeeper Stephen Jackson acknowledges his side are still hurting from last year’s exit to St. Joseph’s in the championship.

“After winning the double in 2012 it really was a catastrophic 2013. St. Joseph’s beat us by a point that day in Irvinestown and we know if we don’t perform on Saturday, Devenish can do the same.

“It’s hard to keep a run going but we look to teams such as Roslea and know that they are the team to beat in this year’s Championship.” Jackson continued, “We know Devenish are a hugely experienced side, it’s going to be a tough game and they beat us only three weeks ago in the league so we know it’s going to take a huge effort on our behalf to get the win.” As already mentioned, Daryl Keenan is a key man for the Maguires. His creativity, passing and scoring prowess is a joy to watch, while around midfield Damien Kelly and Niall McElroy should win their fair share of ball.

For Devenish defenders Anthony McGuinness and Barry Mulrone will be expected to give little away, while they will be hoping that both Marty O’Brien and Vincent O’Brien (hamstring) are passed fit.

Jason Love and Terry O’Flanagan will be expected to carry the ball, and up front the scoring burden will fall heavily on the shoulders of John O’Flanagan and Chris O’Brien.

This could well prove to be a tight encounter but if Tempo can play with the qualities shown in recent times in the league, and improve their finishing, they can book a Quarter final place come Saturday evening.

Enniskillen Gaels v Erne Gaels Saturday July 25 at Derrygonnelly 7.30pm It will be the battle of the Gaels, on Saturday evening, in Derrygonnelly. The Belleek men will be firm favourites going into this match but Enniskillen will be hoping to cause an upset says, Enniskillen’s Ryan McCluskey.

“You have to be confident. With the set of players that is there, I think we can compete. It’s a while since we last played in the senior championship and there is a bit of confidence back in the team. If we pull off a victory it will be an upset, we know that.” Erne Gaels on the other hand will go into the game, with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. It is always a heavy burden to carry but captain Ciaran Smyth is playing down this notion.

“We might be going in as favourites but that’s only because of our league position. We know if we play the way we have in recent games we’ll be knocked out.” Erne Gaels have lost their last three league matches and will this weekend be without a few key players. Barry McCann opted out about six weeks ago, to go to Boston for the summer. Jack McCann, Shane Mimnagh and the Kelm cousins, Oisín and Michael are all away on holidays, whilst wing half back Ronan Cox is ruled out with a broken ankle.

Manager Eddie Reilly and the team had planned for Barry McCann’s absence but the loss of corner back Jack McCann is unfortunate, at such a crucial time of the season.

The Belleek men have conceded seven goals in their last three matches, which is a worry, admits Smyth.

“We need to tighten up in our defence and we need to dominate in midfield if we’re going to have a chance. Getting the ball in early to Seamus Ryder and Tommy McCaffrey will be the key.” There is no denying, Enniskillen have fallen from the pedestal on which they once were perched. They’ve struggled in Division Two this year but in recent games have managed to put a few wins back to back. This will give the team encouragement, going into Saturday’s game.

“The last three wins have definitely helped us. We’ve most of our players back from injury and with the introduction of some minors it has freshened the whole thing up.” Young players like Conor Goodwin and Conor McShea have been introduced by Warren Dixon and that combined with players of the calibre of James McKenna who plies his trade with Ballinamallard back in the fold, certainly strengthens Enniskillen’s hopes.

McCluskey would be regarded as one of the veterans of the team, alongside the likes of Chrissy Breen in nets Neil Cox in attack. Paul Gunn is another player who brings experience and Richie O’Callaghan should be able to compete with the Erne Gaels midfield duo of Mark Lyons and Brian Mullins. With the return of their forward Conor McAleer after a long absence with a cruciate injury, he too should bolster the town side’s chances.

McCluskey says training has been good and whilst there is a lot of work needs done in the club to bring them back to the dizzy heights of the late 90’s early 2000’s, they are making progress.

“Everyone in the club would agree, we have taken our eye off the youth structure. We’ve always done well up to under-14 then there was a bit of a gap. You had lads going away to play soccer and I suppose the younger players haven’t had much to look up to, in terms of success either because we’ve hardly set the world alight. But we are addressing these things and it’s not going to be sorted out overnight.” A win this weekend would give the club an immediate lift and ultimately that will come down to their will to win, says McCluskey.

“If we go out at the weekend and try to match them for hunger and commitment, we’ll give ourselves a chance.” Like McCluskey, Ciaran Smyth has also a wealth of experience. He made his championship debut as a sub against Tempo 17 years ago, at the tender age of 16. He knows his side cannot let complacency creep into their game.

“Whilst we are quietly confident, we’re not going in expecting it to be easy. We know that if we play well we can win. We’ve taken a good few scalps this year, Roslea being one of them but we won’t be complacent.” Last year Erne Gaels bowed out at the hands of Belcoo. Smyth knows after 17 years of senior football time is not on his side and he wants to make this one count. He did take a year out but he’s back more focused and determined than ever.

“After we won the intermediate championship and I knew we’d be playing senior championship I had to come back and give it a go, that was the main reason I came back. It’s a big thing to me. I want to give it a good shot,” says the 33 year old.