Fermanagh manager Joe Baldwin wants his side to leave everything out on the pitch as they get their Lory Meagher Cup campaign underway this Saturday with an away game against Louth in Darver (2pm).

With only three teams left in the competition, the other being Cavan, Baldwin knows that his side are possibly only one win away from a final showdown at Croke Park. Preparation have not been ideal for Fermanagh given that their players have had no club hurling during the summer to keep them sharp but Baldwin says that everyone is looking forward to the championship starting.

“They (preparations) haven’t been ideal for obvious reasons with Covid-19, football and no club hurling but having said that, the attitude is very good. The sessions that we have had under our belt have been competitive and we are really looking forward to the championship.

At the end of the day there is only three teams left in it now and you are potentially one or possibly two games away from a serious day out at Croke Park where every young Irish Gael aspires to be,” he said.

A lot of the players did though feature for their clubs in the football championship although Baldwin feels that can work two ways.

“It was good in the sense that it helps with match fitness but having said that, because the Bridge went so far in the championship some of the boys could nearly be tired and this is the time of year that they would be looking for a rest.

“But you could make a thousand excuses, the bottom line is that we have two games here and we will have to give everything we have to get over the line in the two games.

“We know it is going to be difficult, while there are not many clubs in Louth or Cavan, they both were able to have internal championships so they have had some hurling.

“But, we are preparing for this first round game as if it is the All Ireland final and we will just try and leave everything on the pitch,” he added.

The Fermanagh squad has been boosted by the return to the squad of Sean Corrigan and Baldwin feels that he is an excellent addition.

“Sean Corrigan has come back. It is just typical of Sean, he has come in and just fitted seamlessly back in again and you wouldn’t know that he hasn’t been there.

“He is a quiet lad but a huge addition to have and great to have around. His touch is very good and his vision is very good so to have him is really good,” he commented.

And although the focus is firmly on this year’s championship, the manager has also been planning for next year and intends to take advantage of the rule that allows a weaker county bring in players from stronger counties.

“We looked outside the county and we managed to get Rory Bannon from Loch Mór Dál gCais and Barney McAuley from Loughgiel but unfortunately the two boys are ineligible to play because they fall outside this rule that you have to declare for the county between January and March.

“So it is something that we will have for next year and actually we are able to bring in one more and I’m in the process of talking to someone at the minute who we can bring in to play for Fermanagh going forward.

“Barney has trained with us several times and certainly somebody of that calibre has really lifted the standard of training and even when he speaks a few words at training it is very knowledgeable which is what the boys need to hear.”

For now though the first target is Louth on Saturday and Baldwin expects a big test.

“They are bigger than us, they compete well in the air and compete well when the ball breaks down. They are a strong, physical side and they have come from a tier above us in terms of the league.

“I have had an opportunity to have a look at a video of them, it is a tough opening start but it is winnable and the boys know that.

“They are a small county as well and they have some very good hurlers but then again we have good hurlers too. We certainly have one eye on Louth but we will try and also focus on what we have and let Louth worry about Fermanagh,” he stated.

And he believes that if Fermanagh can compete in a number of key areas then there is no reason why they can’t begin their campaign with a win.

“The winning of the game for us will be if we can get enough ball into our inside forwards, Tom Keenan and Caolan Duffy, who have been showing up really well in training.

“Also, we have to learn from the National League, we have to be more disciplined in the tackle, we can’t leave a hurl in for no particular reason.

“Against Lancashire in the league we had six yellow cards before half time and then you are walking a proverbial tightrope.

“We need to be more aggressive in the breakdown ball too, we have to win more ruck ball and I think that if these are two key areas and if we can do that and then get good ball into the boys then I think we will win the game.”

Despite the delay, Baldwin says it is great to see championship action this year.

“It is late on, approaching Christmas and this should be wind down season but here we are, still playing competitive hurling, championship hurling. It is fabulous and we’re looking forward to getting out and getting started,” he said.