Fermanagh’S Aidan Breen says that they will be relishing the chance to take on Offaly in a promotion play-off.

Breen impressed as he made his first start of the year on Saturday in the draw against Longford, and with the fear of relegation now gone, he feels that both teams will be looking to take that next step and clinch that place in Division Two for next season.

“Both teams will be chomping at the bit – there is no relegation at stake now; it is a winner takes all in terms of promotion, and I’m sure that Offaly will definitely fancy their chances at home against us.

“Likewise though, we will fancy our chances, so it should be a good game,” said the Tempo man, who acknowledges that Fermanagh will be coming up against an in-form side.

“Offaly seem to be flying and they have some quality forwards as well. From all reports they are a very fit, young team and John Maughan has them in good shape.”

From a Fermanagh point of view though it is a case of so far so good. Drawn in a tough-looking Division Three North, they have done enough to ensure that they are facing play-offs at the right end of the table, with the win over Cavan in the opening round the key result.

“If someone had said to us at the start of the league that we would get through to a promotion play-off, we would have took their arm of for it!

“You always knew two results would get you into a good chance of being in the promotion mix – that’s as good a chance of getting promotion as you would ever get, and that win in the first game was massive for us. Getting off to a good start was ideal.”

A heavy defeat followed to Derry but the draw on Saturday against Longford was enough to see Fermanagh progress. And Breen felt that the impact of the bench was decisive for Fermanagh.

“We got the result needed on Saturday. We made hard work of it, but Longford are no bad team and they have some very good players.

“Thankfully though we got over the line, and I think that the boys who came off the bench, Richie and Ultan, made a big difference for us.”

Important points

Having came off the bench in the opening two games, Breen was entrusted with a starting spot on Saturday and he didn’t let his Manager down as he landed two important points.

“It was nice to get a start on Saturday. If I’m honest, I thought I hadn’t really been playing well at all, and hadn’t a good game for the county in a long time, so it was good to get a chance and I had to show up half-decent or your chance would be gone, because there is a strong squad there,” he said.

Indeed, he believes the squad is as competitive as he has known during his time playing for Fermanagh.

“There is a serious strong bench and then there is boys to come back in, and you have the likes of Danny Leonard who has come in this year and offered something.

“It is as competitive a squad as I have seen,” he added.