For the second year in a row Fermanagh’s fate in the league will be decided on the last day and all Fermanagh supporters will be hoping that it goes the same way this Sunday against Derry as it did last year when Pete McGrath’s charges did enough against Tyrone to guarantee their stay in Division Two.

It’s been a difficult league campaign for McGrath and his players but all is not lost yet and with a vocal home support behind them, Fermanagh will be aiming to get the win that would give them every chance of staying in Division Two.

There are certain scenarios on the final day that mean if Fermanagh win they could still be relegated or if results go their way then a draw might be enough but defeat to bottom placed Derry will have the definite outcome of relegation.

Fermanagh will go into the game on the back of last week’s bitterly disappointing performance against Meath and they will have to quickly pick the bones out of it, address the issues that have arose and then focus solely on getting a result on Sunday.

Like Fermanagh, Derry have been conceding heavily during this present league campaign, indeed they are the only side to have conceded more than Fermanagh this season. Fermanagh have so far leaked 10-76 with Derry conceding 11-90 which will give Fermanagh hope although Derry have been scoring more frequently and are averaging a couple of points more per game than Fermanagh.

Damian Barton though has the Slaughtneil players back involved with the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Chrissie McKaigue lining out for the Oak Leaf last week in their defeat to Cork at Celtic Park which obviously will strengthen their hand and despite being bottom of the table, they will be very aware that a win would give them a great chance of surviving in Division Two.

For Fermanagh though the focus will be on getting their own performance right and top of the agenda will be ensuring that they cut out the path to goal. Defensive solidity is a must on Sunday and then look to build from that.

Thomas Treacy should return to goal for the game as McGrath has had a rotation policy with the two keepers throughout the league. Che Cullen has had a strong league campaign at full back while Fermanagh will also look to the likes of Michael Jones, Barry Mulrone and Aidan Breen to play leading roles in restricting the influence of the Oak Leaf attack. Given the importance of the game, a return to the starting line up for Ryan McCluskey could also be on the cards as his leadership could be crucial in situations like this.

Fermanagh struggled to make an impact in the middle third last Sunday but Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Jones and Lee Cullen have all the attributes to give Fermanagh a strong platform in that sector and that is going to be required on Sunday.

Another worry for Fermanagh from last week’s game was the lack of scores and indeed attacking threat that they posed against the Royals and things are not helped by the loss of Tomas Corrigan to a calf problem.

It means the bulk of the scoring burden will fall on Sean Quigley and Eddie Courtney but the likes of Donnelly, Jones, Mulrone and Paul McCusker are all more than capable of chipping in with scores and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. There is no hiding the fact that Sunday is a massive game for Fermanagh and they will be determined to retain their Division Two status.

The players and management will be hurting but they know that they have a chance to put that right at Brewster Park on Sunday.