It’s Division One v Division Two when Belcoo take on Maguiresbridge in the semi-final of the IFC on Saturday in Tempo but maybe it will be the Division Two side who will be the slight favourites to progress.

After all, Maguiresbridge defeated pre-championship favourites Irvinestown in the quarter-final while Belcoo have had a rotten league campaign that saw them finish adrift at the foot of Division One although they were comfortable winners over Enniskillen in their last eight clash.

Maguiresbridge boss Cathal Murphy is having none of it though and feels that playing in Division One all season will stand to Belcoo when the two sides come face to face for a spot in the final.

“We are a Division Two side and we will be playing Division One opposition. I know that Belcoo might not have had the best of times in the league but they have still been playing the best teams in the county on a regular basis which is a benefit for them,” he said.

Murphy’s side produced a fine performance in overcoming Irvinestown in the last round and while he states that they won’t be helped by two red cards picked up in that game, he stresses that the target is to get through to the final.

“Yes, we will take great confidence from the win over Irvinestown but we had Andrew Breslin and Ronan Teague red carded which is a blow. However, just like Belcoo, our target on Sunday will be to reach the final.”

Belcoo counterpart Peter Clarke, unsurprisingly sees things differently.

“By beating the favourites, Maguiresbridge would now be favourites for the championship,” he said.

However, he does feel that his side are in a better place going into this game and he is hopeful that if they perform then they will be able to book their spot in the final.

“Our seniors have won a championship match and are juniors have won two Reserve Championship games so we have a bit of momentum and we want to go on and take the another step forward. September is the business time of the year and it is when you want to be standing up.

“We know that the ‘Bridge are a good side but also we are confident in our own ability, we know what we have to do and it is all about performing on the day,” said Clarke.