Kinawley boss Adrian Diver feels his side are in a good place as they prepare for their Ulster semi-final away to Trillick on Saturday (2pm).

While he does not think the 17-point victory was a true reflection on the game itself, he saw it as another step in the right direction for the team as they bid to make it to their third Ulster final on the trot.

“Downpatrick are a young team and we were hoping our experience would see us through at the end of the day, and I think that is what happened,” explained Diver.

“When you are going as far as Downpatrick and you don’t know what you are going to be facing, you do think this could be it for the season.

“To come away from it, I felt it was an improved performance upon the Scotstown game, so I think we are on the right trajectory as such in terms of improvement.”

Looking ahead to the next test against Trillick, there will be a more familiar feel to it as the sides having played each other on a number of occasions in the last couple of years.

“We know them very well, and they know us very well.

“I think we have played each other three times in the last three years, so it’s a wee bit like you know your match-ups and you know how they play, and they know how we play, and they know our better players and who they are going to match-up with.”

Diver is well aware of the threat Trillick pose and pointed out the dangerous Emma Brennan and Dearbhaile Gallagher.

“They are really speedy, really dangerous on the ball and can take a great score.

“They are integral to their play and we will need to get our match-ups right. Offensively, they are an excellent team.

“Coming through Tyrone, you get nothing easy. They will be ready for us, but we will be ready for them and I think we are playing good stuff at the moment.

“I’m happy enough with the way the girls are playing and hopefully it will be enough on the day.”

Under no illusions

Diver’s opposite number, Iggy Gallagher, is under no illusions of the challenge his side faces.

Having come up from Junior in 2018, he sees this as another step in the club’s development in ladies football.

“We have played them the last number of years and they have always proved to be a bridge too far, in fairness.

“Not alone have Kinawley been the best team in Fermanagh, but they have also been knocking on the door for Ulster this past number of years.

“That’s the level they are at, whereas we won Ulster Junior in 2018. We are trying to close the gap; that’s where we are at, at the minute.

“Coming from Junior and having got out of Intermediate in Tyrone, it is a fair enough achievement at this stage.”

But despite seeing themselves as an underdog, Gallagher knows that in championship football, everybody has a chance.

“Any team in any championship match has a chance. Ultimately, at the end of the day, we will want everything to go right for us.

“It really is development and it is a great opportunity.

“We will go out and perform to the best of our ability, and see where that takes us, and the scoreboard looks after itself,” added Gallagher.