Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath believes that Fermanagh would be selling themselves short if they do not target promotion from Division Three.

The Erne side get their league campaign underway on Saturday night against Louth under the lights at Brewster Park and while McGrath anticipates Division Three to be highly competitive, the aim is to be in top two when the league concludes.

“There is no reason why we should not be targeting promotion,” he said. “I know that it is going to be competitive and I know that a lot of matches might be decided by a point or two but there is no reason why we should be saying that if we just stay in this league we will be doing well. Our aim is to be at the very top of this league, to be pushing right to the end for promotion to get out into Division Two next year and that is the way we are approaching it. I’m convinced there is a very talented squad of players here so why should we sell ourselves short and settle for anything less than what we know we are capable of doing, which is really pushing hard for promotion.” However, McGrath acknowledges that if Fermanagh are to achieve that goal then they are going to have to be at the top of their game throughout the league programme.

“It (Division Three) was competitive last year and it looks even more competitive this year. Armagh you would think shouldn’t be a Division Three team but that’s the level they are at in terms of league standing and you have teams like Tipperary and Clare who had promising Munster Championships last year and won’t lack ambition. Then there are the teams we played last year, teams like Sligo, Limerick and Wexford who are competitive teams, so no matter what teams you look at, to get something out of any game you are going to have to be on top of your game,” stated McGrath.

The former Down boss is delighted with the work that the squad have put in during pre-season and feels that progression was made during the McKenna Cup with the side reaching the last four of the competition before narrowly losing out to Cavan.

“We had a very productive McKenna Cup campaign. We had three very good matches and then we got another one against Cavan in the semi-final which I think will benefit us as well. We were a bit deflated losing the match to Cavan but we were back training on Friday night and the mood is very positive and everyone is very determined. Everyone knows that we have learnt a lot and progressed a lot as a result of the McKenna Cup matches,” he added.

Defensively, Fermanagh were solid over the course of the McKenna Cup campaign which was an area that McGrath was keen to address after shipping some big scores in 2014. However, at the other end, scores have been less frequent and the Fermanagh manager is keen to find the right balance between defending and attacking.

“If you look at our defensive record, it is very good but I think the challenge is to get the balance between defending properly and at the same time not taking too much away from our scoring threat. Our scoring is down on last year because, maybe, of the way we are playing, so the challenge is to get a balance where by we are not scoring just enough to win. I would like to think that in the league we will be able to integrate good defensive play with flair going forward, where we are creating and converting more chances,” he commented.

Fermanagh have only three home league games this season and McGrath stresses that if they are to be in contention for promotion then they need to winning these games, starting on Saturday night against Louth.

“We have three home matches, and to have a realistic hope of doing well in this league you certainly have to win your home matches, and this is the first of those three. In that respect, it is a must win game,” he said.

And he states that getting off to a good start in the league is also crucial.

“It is very important,” said McGrath. “You have seven matches and if you get off to a winning start then you have a wee bit of momentum and confidence increases. Given the work that the players have done, I think we are in a very positive place and if all the work and commitment that the players have invested is reflected in their performance on Saturday night then I think we have a very good chance of getting off to a good start and getting the league campaign off with two good home points.” Having managed at club level in Louth, McGrath is aware of the talent within the Wee County and while he acknowledges that their pre-season form has not been impressive, he expects a big challenge on Saturday night. However, with home advantage, McGrath wants his side to impose themselves on the visitors.

“Louth didn’t have a great O’Byrne Cup campaign and they have lost a number of experienced players and are possible in a transition phase at the moment. But, I know Louth football, I managed Cooley Kickhams for a number of years and believe me there are good footballers in Louth so they will be a formidable enough challenge. Given the fact though that we are the home team on Saturday night, we have to go out and play the game on our terms. We have to take the game to them and if we can impose our agenda on them then I have every confidence that we’ll win the match. However, it is like every other game, you will have to play and perform to win.”