There are a host of scenarios heading into this weekend’s game with Tyrone. Differing permutations leading to either the securing of Fermanagh’s division two status or relegation to division three. We will get to those in just a while. The first thing to say is that the Erne men hold their future in their own hands. A win or a draw will mean division two football next year. It is that simple.
At the start of 2015 any Fermanagh fan would have been happy had they been told their team would have gained promotion, reached an All Ireland quarter final and followed it up with having their division two future in their own hands by the last league game of 2016. This team has evolved and grown and improved. And all of that was demonstrated at the weekend in Tuam when they fought, scrapped and played some excellent football to earn a draw off a formidable Galway team. 
That share of the spoils moved them up to five points. Two points ahead of Laois, one point ahead of Meath and one point ahead of Armagh. Laois and Meath meet at the weekend and should Laois win Fermanagh will be safe no matter what the result of their game against Tyrone as their head to head record against Laois is superior. If those two teams draw Fermanagh will also be safe for the same reason as they beat Meath in Brewster Park. 
The only scenario where Fermanagh can get relegated is if they lose to Tyrone and Meath win and Armagh either draw or win against Derry. The head to head record will count against Fermanagh should Armagh finish level on points. 
A draw or a win for Pete McGrath’s men will leave them safe regardless of other results. So, turning our attention to the forthcoming challenge of the Red Hands we can be sure of one thing and that is that Tyrone will be going all out for the win. Regardless of the fact they have promotion well wrapped up at this stage Mickey Harte’s charges will want to maintain their unbeaten record. Last week they surrendered a three point lead in the final minute of injury time as Armagh snatched a draw. Harte will no doubt use that lax in concentration as a motivation to play to the end this Sunday against Fermanagh. Tyrone are the best team in the division and are the sternest assignment to date. 
While it is yet to be demonstrated that they possess the same forward power that they did when winning three All Irelands between 2003 and 2008 they do have a lot of very good footballers who are committed to a system that is stiflingly effective. Fermanagh meanwhile have been playing well in patches of this league campaign. The games against Meath, Laois and Galway evidence that they are good enough to hold their own at this level. There have been worrying blips in form however; most notably the performance against Cavan and the second half display against Derry. 
If they are to succeed this weekend they will have to find a way around Tyrone’s defensives structure. Colm Cavanagh is probably the best sweeper in the game at present. Quick early ball should be the first option especially when Fermanagh turn over possession, while a running approach might perhaps be the best policy when Tyrone have numbers back. Another skill Fermanagh will have to have is the point from distance and in this respect Ryan Jones and Eoin Donnelly will need to chip in and we may see Sean Quigley deployed a bit further from goal on occasions. Tomas Corrigan is playing excellently in the corner for Fermanagh and he should be fed the ball whenever the opportunity arises. 
All in all this will be a difficult assignment for Fermanagh but as Pete McGrath has always said these are the types of teams and the types of games that he wants his team to play.
 A big test awaits but if Fermanagh bring their ‘A’ game they can certainly spring a surprise and take a firm grasp of their own league destiny.