In 2019, Ederney and Teemore met in the semi-final relegation playoff in the Senior Championship following defeats to Belnaleck and Tempo respectively.

One year later and both teams face off in the Senior Championship but instead of the threat of relegation to Intermediate, a final spot is up for grabs.

Revenge was gained as Ederney overcame Belnaleck while Teemore battled with 14 men to beat Tempo.

St. Joseph’s Declan McCusker and Teemore’s Cian McManus were glad that their side’s were able to learn the lessons from the previous year and progress.

“Last year people said Belnaleck caught us on the hop but they didn’t really,” said McCusker. “We knew they had a very good team and you saw that even in semi-final when they drew with Derrygonnelly. We knew how good they were and it was the same again this year. We knew it was going to be a battle and it was great to get over the line.”

With Eoin McManus sent off, his namesake Cian worried that the they might have missed their chance but he was impressed with the performances of some of the younger players.

“I thought it was almost gone going into the last 15 minutes when Eoin got sent off and they drew level but we pulled away again.

“We have had a very young team these last few years. We’ve had a lot of boys from under 21 playing and in fairness a lot of them stood up when it mattered. Oisin Murphy got the winning point and he is only 17 or 18. I was delighted to see that more than anything.”

Teemore are the only team in the county to have won all their games this season and McCusker knows how important a winning mentality is.

“They are a serious championship team and they are the only team in the county to have won all their games so they will be full of confidence.

“I know from years ago Ederney playing in Division Two and playing in senior championship it can be an advantage.They will be highly confident, good morale in the squad. It will be a big challenge but hopefully if we get everything right on the day we will get over the line.”

Teemore are playing an exciting brand of football this season with McManus saying they are mixing it up with their tried and tested long ball game and he admits the results are promising.

“We are playing a bit of ball. We aren’t just kicking the ball in and it’s nice to mix it up and it’s working so far hopefully it keeps getting better for us.”

The high ball caused Ederney problems against Belnaleck and with Barry Owens on the edge of the square for Teemore, McCusker knows the threat he will pose. But he also knows they have quality throughout the forward line.

“Barry on the edge of the square is a handful for anyone. His timing is unbelievable from years being the best full back in the country. He will take a lot of watching.

“It’s not the Teemore of old where it is just the high ball in.

“They have Ryan Maguire who has serious pace, Murphy at 11 and Niall Clarke is a very good footballer.

“All their forwards are good players at the back they will be sticky and tight.”

Both players know that no matter what way the game plays out it will be a battle.

“I don’t know how many years I have went up and down to Teemore and I have never got an easy game,” said McCusker.

“Its always tough against Ederney. They are one of the top teams in the county.

“They are very fast breaking out and well set up and seem to have everything organised so it is going to be a battle on Sunday,” added McManus.