Derrygonnelly Harps v Ederney
The final two teams to take their bow in this year’s Fermanagh senior championship will be defending champions Derrygonnelly who clash with Ederney at Brewster Park on Sunday.
The same two sides met at this stage last season with the Harps needing a replay before convincingly booking their place in the last four. Derrygonnelly will be favourites to go through in this game although their manager Martin Greene is very wary of the threat posed by Ederney: “We see it as a50/50 game to be honest. They are a very good team and championship comes down to the day. It is a cliche maybe to say that but that doesn’t mean it is not true.”
Greene reported that his side has had a few niggles in the build up to this game and with no game last weekend they have been sharpening their skills with a serious of challenge games.
Derrygonnelly have won the championship on four occasions but have never defended the title.
“Well I suppose that is something to think about but to be honest we are not looking past Sunday’s game with Ederney. We obviously want to do as well as we can in the championship and that starts on Sunday.”
Ederney started the season with former Tyrone great Finbarr McConnell in charge but he lasted only two games before resigning with assistant Aiden Gilroy stepping in to the hotseat. He has guided the side to a fifth place finish in the league and they have been getting better as the season has progressed.
“Preparations have been going well and there is a good buzz, as I’m sure there is in every squad in the championship. We will be looking to be a bit more consistent in our play on Sunday and we know that we have to be at our best to have any chance of progressing,” Gilroy stated before adding: “Derrygonnelly are county champions have been performing very well. We will be looking to go out there and compete and see where that takes us and I know that the players are looking forward to the formidable challenge that Derrygonnelly pose.”
Much will hinge on the middle third. Marty McGrath has been playing well for Ederney and he will need to curb the dominance of the Jones brothers who have been operating well for the Harps in this sector. The McCusker brothers Paul and Declan have been key to Ederney’s good performances with elder brother Darren also chipping in with scores.
Derrygonnelly have a sturdy defence with Eamon McHugh and Mickey Jones two strong competitors while Paul Ward continues to be a forward who proves elusive for opposing defences. As such then, the Ederney defence will need to be at their best.