The Intermediate Championship has arguably been the most intriguing of championships in Fermanagh over the past number of seasons and this year looks to be no different.

Every team will fancy their chances in lifting the crown, but it is true to say that some teams have more reason for optimism than others.

Enniskillen Gaels and Kinawley meet in a mouth-watering quarter final tie with many believing the winner of the competition will come from these two teams. Both have operated in division one this season with the Gaels finishing in second place while Kinawley after a strong start faltered and ended up in the bottom four.

Indeed, both teams have been bereft of some form of late and will go into the game hoping that they can produce their best. Kinawley have been boosted by the return of the Corrigan brothers, Tomas from his travels and Ruairi from injury, and along with the likes of Conor Murphy and James Allen they are a team on their day who will trouble anyone in the county.

Enniskillen meanwhile are a very exciting young team with MacRory Cup stars Brandon Horan and Conor Love adding to a team that is already brimming with youthful exuberance. Add in the experience of Richard O’Callaghan around the middle and the returning Niall Shannon to the defence and this game has all the makings of a cracking game.

Belcoo and Aghadrumsee will meet on Saturday with the O’Rahilly’s back at Intermediate level after a year at senior. They did win the Intermediate two years ago and know how to navigate their way around this competition. The performance of Paul McGrath, Ciaran Flaherty, Niall McGovern and Brian Cox add a wealth of experience with Eoin Shields one of the best young man markers in their defence.

Aghadrumsee meanwhile have been, at times, very impressive this season. When they can call on their full hand they are a real handful. Eddie Courtney continues to provide the bulk of their scores but Eugene and Darren Kearns have also been performing to a high level with Dale Crudden another player who will need watching by the Belcoo defence.

Newtownbutler and St Patrick’s Donagh will meet on Saturday in a local derby that could go either way. St Patrick’s have suffered a torrid time in division one but playing at that level will stand to them. Newtowbutler meanwhile have run into a bit of a dip in form of late but if they can rekindle their play form earlier in the season then they will be a dangerous.

St Pat’s will call on veteran Eamon Maguire to once again be their talisman and they have a host of other sharp forwards in the shape of Fermanagh under 20 captain Cameron McBrien and xxxxxxx.

Newtownbutler can once again call on the services of Ryan Carson and Frank Mullligan for leadership with Jarlath Jackman, Jason Flanagan and Sean Mullaney three players who will need big performances if Newtowbutler are to reach the semi final.

The final quarter final will see last year’s beaten finalists Irvinestown and Lisnaskea cross swords and is another contest that will see a division one team meet a division two team. For Irvinestown they finished second from bottom in division one but were competitive in the vast majority of their games.

They have proven big game players in the shape of Ronan Ormsby and Gary Maguire in attack and in Kevin McDonnell have an attacking half back that will need some careful attention from Lisnsakea.

The Emmetts meanwhile have been in a rich vein of form of late in division two and have won six games in a row. They have some excellent attackers in the shape of Hayden Lynch and Sean Keenan while Tom Clarke can provide a platform of possession in the middle third and also driving runs forward.

All to play for then in the Intermediate Championships and while Kinawley and Enniskillen will be most people’s favourites for the title there are a lot of teams capable of very good football if they produce their best.