Johnny Cassidy turned 21 this week and the Enniskillen Gaels man will be looking for a belated birthday present in the shape of two points and a win in Newbridge this weekend when Fermanagh take on Kildare in the opening round of the National Football League.

Operating in Division Two for the second straight year Fermanagh have been handed a difficult first two games with Roscommon calling to Brewster Park in round two following the trip to the Lilywhites.

Roscommon and Kildare are fancied by many as the two favourites to gain promotion but Cassidy is confident that Fermanagh can more than hold their own.

“Kildare in Newbridge is probably as tough an opening as you could get but we have been focusing on this game for a long time now and I think Division Two is going to be very competitive this year and really anyone could beat anyone else but it is important we start well and get as many points on the board early on.”

The talented defender revealed that training has been going well and that the mood is good in the camp as they get ready to start their league campaign:

“Ricey (Ryan McMenamin) used the McKenna Cup to get a good look at players and he definitely did that. Preparations have been going very well.

“We have used the last few weeks to get the miles into the legs and the league was always the priority.

“I think with Tier Two in the championship this year it will make Division Two even more competitive because no-one will be wanting to get relegated,” he said before adding that the Fermanagh boss, Ryan McMenamin, has been able to ensure continuity to the set-up while also bringing fresh ideas into the mix:

“Ricey is there from before and he knows all the players really well, but he has his own take on things now he is a manager and then Joe (McMahon) and Paul (McIvor) have brought fresh ideas to the whole set up as well so everything is going well and we are confident of going out there and playing well.”

2019 was a breakout year for Cassidy as he established himself on the starting 15 with a string of impressive performances in both league and championship.

But he is not resting on his laurels as 2020 gets underway in earnest:

“I want to build on from last year. It took me a few games to get into it last year, but I am more experienced now and I want to make sure I push on and keep my place in the starting team.”

This season will see the introduction of new rules with the forward mark inside the 45-yard line already causing quite a bit of debate. Cassidy says that teams will have to adapt to the new rules but he envisages a tougher time for defenders.

“I’m not really sure on the new rules especially the forward mark. Defenders will have to put a big emphasis on making sure that their man doesn’t catch the ball clean inside the 45. It is going to take a lot of getting used to and I definitely think that it will make the game harder for defenders.”

Cassidy, along with Ultan Kelm, brought some freshness to the Fermanagh starting line up last season and it is anticipated that 2020 will see some more young players put their hand up for a starting spot with Cassidy believing the competition for places is good for the whole squad.

“I think it is always important to have young players coming in. It puts pressure on everyone to keep playing well and we have seen from the McKenna Cup the likes of Eoin Sheils, Darragh McGurn and Tiarnan Bogue play very well and they are all pushing for a start against Kildare on Sunday.”