The big question entering into the new Fermanagh and Western season is whether anybody can stop Enniskillen Rangers retaining the Mercer Cup.

Rangers, under the guidance of Michael Kerr, have turned into the dominant force in local football in recent seasons having claimed back to back Irish Junior Cup crown before securing their first Mercer Cup since 1999 when they defeated Strathroy Harps on the last day of the season to clinch the league title.

And having got that monkey off their back last season, Kerr will be eager for his side to push on again this season and keep hold of their league title.

However, the player-manager expects it to be a tough challenge to make it back to back titles.

“Look, that’s our main target, to win the league again this season and I would always say that the best team is the team that finishes top of the table after 22 games.

“In saying that though, we know it is going to be tough and the boys are under no illusions about that.

“The Fermanagh and Western is one of, if not the most competitive leagues in Junior football in Northern Ireland. There are five or six teams who on their day can beat any other team so it means that you have to be on your game each week,” he said.

And Kerr acknowledges that with his side going into the season as champions, they are the ones that everybody will be gunning for.

“We know that teams will want to shoot us down, that’s the nature of it and we have to be ready for that. The key thing as far as I’m concerned is preparation and the work done on the training pitch during the week,” he added.

The Rangers boss has strengthened his squad with the additions of Michael Simpson and Conor Watson from Enniskillen Town and he is adamant that it takes a big squad to win the league.

“You need a strong squad. I remember last year people felt I had too many players but we needed them all by the end because we had a tough run to finish the season and I think I used 21 players in the run in.”

Where Rangers have strengthened, it could be argued that their main rivals for the title last season, NFC Kesh and Strathroy Harps have had their hands weakened over the summer.

Kesh lost the hugely influential Nathan Cashel to Ballinamallard and he leaves a big gap to fill for Nicky Noble while Harps have seen Darren Teague join Cashel at Ballinamallard while Aidy McCaffrey has left to join Tummery.

It would still be expected that Kesh and Strathroy will be among those side at the top end of the table but maybe Rangers main competition will come from Tummery.

The Dromore side have appointed Gerry Love as manager as he takes over from Benny McElholm who is now in charge of Strathroy.

And Love has no shortage of quality to call upon with McCaffrey coming in to join up with the likes of Cathal Beacom and Ryan Hanna.

Tummery have been perceived at times to be more of a cup team than a league team and that will be one of Love’s first jobs, to chance that mentality, and if he does then they could be serious contenders.

Enniskillen Town have not been the force of old in recent years but Rory Judge will be hoping to see them push on this year. He has talent at his disposal in the likes of frank Wallace and Conor Tummon and he is also hoping to add to that before the window closes to help them push further up the table from last season.

Irvinestown have a new man at the helm in Ryan Beacom and he has brought a number of new faces to the club. The key for him though will be getting a consistent team on the pitch with the Wanderers one of the teams that have been hamstrung by GAA commitments. When they have all out though they are a match for anyone.

Lisbellaw manager Kyle McCleery admits that they is a season of transition but he is looking a return to the Lisbellaw of old and first and foremost he will want them to be hard to beat and take it from there. The ‘Law finished seventh last season, a top half finish would be seen as progress for McCleery.

Beragh will be aiming to build on a mid-table finish from last season and with Stevie Browne back, they have the capability to put it up to any of the sides in the division.

Killen and Mountjoy were both dragged into the battle at the foot of the table last season and avoiding that will be the key for both.

And that leaves the two promoted sides, Strule United and Dergview Reserves.

Strule were comfortable winners of the Division Two title last season and they will be hoping to take that form into the top flight while Dergview will look on it as being a successful year if they can retain their status in the division at the end of the season.