Apart from last year when Enniskillen Gaels eased to the title, the Intermediate Football Championship has proven to be highly competitive in recent times, and this year would appear to be no different.

There is always a surprise or two along the way in the Intermediate competition, and we can expect some well contested games in the quarter-finals as the sides look to get themselves in the hat for the last four, and by doing so avoid being involved in relegation play-offs.

It is Erne Gaels who will go into the championship as favourites, and if league form is anything to go by, then they are going to be hard to stop from making a swift return to the Senior ranks after dropping down last year.

Seamus Ryder’s men won their Club Players’ Competition section and they continued that form into their Division One campaign, where they narrowly missed out to Enniskillen on a final spot.

A key man

Ultan Kelm is a key man for them, and stopping him will be crucial for any team that they face.

The Belleek men will also look to Michael Og McGarrigle at midfield and Barry McCann, Tommy McCaffrey and Shane Rooney further forward to help them progress.

Erne Gaels have been paired with Maguiresbridge in the last eight and the St. Mary’s outfit will be no pushovers. They may have had a mixed bag in the league, but big hurling commitments within their squad has to be taken into consideration, and having reached the final of the competition last year, they will be eager to go one better this time around.

In Ciaran Corrigan they have one of the top forwards in the county to call on, and Danny Teague also provides quality and experience.

Add in the likes of Sean Corrigan, Luca McCusker and Ryan Hyde and it is clear to see that they have the players to make this a difficult outing for Erne Gaels.

The Intermediate Championship curtain raiser is the meeting between Lisnaskea and Irvinestown and both sides will feel that if they can get over this tough first hurdle, then they have every chance of going the whole way in the competition.

Irvinestown will look to star youngster Josh Largo Elis to drive them on from the middle third, and he is ably supported by brother Jack, county man Kevin McDonnell, Stephen Sheridan and Seanie Mahon.

Lisnaskea are going through a transitional period under Peter Clarke, who is in his second year in charge back at his home club – who he led to All Ireland Intermediate success in 2011.

A few of those players from that memorable run are still involved and provide experience and leadership to the young players like Joe McDade, Justy McDade and Eoin McCabe who are starting to make their mark in the Senior side.

This promises to be a close battle in Tempo on Sunday.

Derrylin come into the competition with the advantage of two tough championship games already under their belt.

With last year’s Junior Championship final postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions, the delayed final was only played recently, with Derrylin securing their place in this year’s Intermediate Championship with victory over Coa after a replay.

Disappointing

The O’Connells have enjoyed a very successful season, to date, having clinched promotion to Division One prior to that Junior win, although they were disappointing in losing out to St. Pat’s in the Division Two final.

The O’Connells though had eased their way to promotion and with the likes of Luke Flanagan, Danny Leonard and James Dolan, they have players who can mix it with the best.

However, they will come up against Division One opposition in the shape of Devenish, and the Garrison men will be looking to get themselves back into the Senior competition.

Devenish will be well aware of the dangers of the Intermediate Championship, having lost out to Aghadrumsee at the first hurdle last year, so they will not take Derrylin in any way lightly.

The loss of Barry Mulrone is a huge blow for them but they finished in relative safety in Division One, and with Tom Treacy, Terry O’Flanagan and Jason Love they have experience alongside the youth of the likes of Fionan O’Brien.

The final two teams to enter the championship will be Aghadrumsee and Belcoo.

Aghadrumsee did not push on as they would have wished in the league this year, but as they showed against Devenish last year, they are capable of producing a big performance.

Pat Cadden’s men are well organised and in Eddie Courtney they have a potential match winner. They will also look to Eugene Kerins, Shaun McManus and Aidy Bannon to drive them on.

Belcoo have improved throughout the season and just missed out on promotion.

The return of Eoin Shiels after a long spell on the sidelines is a welcome boost for the O’Rahillys, and they will also rely on the scoring prowess of experienced duo Paul McGrath and Captain Ciarán Flaherty, along with the energy provided by young player Dara Flanagan.