The race for the Mercer Cup starts this Saturday and it has the look of an intriguing campaign where a number of clubs will have their eyes on the main prize.
There’s no surprise that the two favourites for the title are last season’s top two, Lisbellaw United and Strathroy Harps.
Lisbellaw, under the management of Andy Reilly, stopped the Harps making it three in a row as they claimed their first Mercer Cup since 2011/12 last season and Reilly will be keen to build on that this year. They are back-boned by a group of experienced players who know what it takes to win the league and they will be aiming to retain their crown.
However, Strathroy will be smarting from last season and will be eager to make amends. The Harps finished the season as Mulhern Cup winners and while they may not be as strong as they were a couple of seasons ago, they are still a team of quality and Seamus Fanthorpe will be determined to steer them back to the top of the pile over the course of the season. Their goal will be to finish as champions and they are serious contenders.
If Lisbellaw and Strathroy are the two fancied sides, there are others who could will pose a big threat, and top of that list could well be Enniskillen Rangers.
Michael Kerr’s side finished strongly last season and having recruited well over the summer they will be expected to make a push at the top of the table. If he can get his new players bedded in early on and they can make a better start than they did last season, then the ‘Gers will be genuine title challengers.
Last season, Tummery set the pace for a long period as they looked set to claim a first Mercer League title. Under player manager Benny McElholm they impressed but they ran out of steam as the campaign came to an end and had to settle for third place. However, McElholm has stepped down and he will be a loss although they do though still have strength in their squad and with Gerry McCullagh and Shaun McDermott at the helm don’t be surprised if they are there or thereabouts again this season.
Last season was about rebuilding for Enniskillen Town and manager Rory Judge and he feels that they may still be slightly off the pace this season. Consistency was an issue for Town last year and it is something that concerns Judge going into the new campaign. However, they still have match winners in their ranks and if they do find consistency then they will be a threat and given their record nobody will be writing them off.
Irvinestown have installed Rory Cassidy as manager and he is intent on building on the good work of Paul Cassidy and Dermot McCann before him. 
The Wanderers finished third from bottom last year and if they can climb higher this season that will be job done.
Enniskillen Santos started last season with high hopes but Joe Keenan’s side never really got going. On their day they can trouble any team but failed to do it on a consistent basis. 
A mid-table finish is Keenan’s aim and anything higher would be a bonus. 
Kesh climbed away from the bottom of the table last season to secure a mid-table place and the same again would be a success with manager Niall Amos stating that the first goal is to stay in the division.
Beragh Swifts and Killen Rangers are two sides who will be targeting top half of the table finishes in what promises to be a tight and competitive division and that then brings us to the two new teams.
Magheraveely and Strule United will come into the top flight with the simple goal of survival but don’t be surprised if they manage to spring a shock or two along the way as both are more than capable of holding their own.