MICK Glynn, Derrygonnellly joint Manager, has plenty of experience when it comes to leading sides to Championship glory.

The Galway native was part of the management side with Martin Greene from 2015-2017 when they won the first three of their five consecutive Senior titles.

Having stepped away, he is back to try and help the Harps reach the pinnacle of Fermanagh club football again.

On his reasons for stepping back into management with Sean Flanagan, Emilyn Burns and Paul Greene, Glynn said: “I just felt that I had a bit still to offer and I thought that the players were still there to achieve more success.

“I felt that there was still a very good team there and they could win another championship in Fermanagh.”

Glynn believes the squad this year, overall, is better than the one that made the breakthrough in 2015.

Despite having stand-out players such as Kevin Cassidy, Paul Ward and Stephen Burns to call on, the strength depth of this current crop means that they don’t have to rely on certain players to get them over the line.

“I think overall now there is better strength in depth.

“There are a lot of experienced players there with the Jones, McGullion, Deccy Cassidy, Eamon McHugh boys like that.

“But there is also a good sprinkling of younger lads that are on the team, like Aaron Jones and Oisin Smyth, and other lads that have come on, so overall there is a better balance to the team and greater strength in depth.”

That strength in depth has been evident as Derrygonnelly have come through four tough games to get to the decider with the bench, in particular in the replay against Ederney, playing a vital role.

And while Enniskillen have only played two games to reach the final, Glynn knows there is a benefit in those games.

“It’s the old saying – you can’t beat games. We have had plenty of those, so hopefully they are sharpening us up and building confidence. There were a couple of times our backs were to the wall and when they were we functioned fairly well.”

Enniskillen will provide another formidable task, according to Glynn.

He has previously spoken of the successful youth sides the Gaels have produced and now sees this as a time when they are maturing into a strong Senior outfit.

“Enniskillen have made great strides this year. They won the Intermediate Championship last year and it is a great achievement to get to the Senior final this year and I’m sure they are not going to to make up the numbers.

“They have a very good team; and very good, talented youth in their team.

“Any team that wins an Ulster Minor Championship has to be taken seriously, and they have had three years to mature, so they will be very formidable opposition.”

The hurt of losing last year’s final and being thwarted of six in a row has been a driving force for the Harps this year as the players look to right the wrongs of 2020.

“I think the players themselves maybe felt they didn’t function they way they can in the final last year though on the day Ederney were deserving winners. I think there was hurt there and that has driven the players this year and motivation hasn’t been a problem.

“There was probably a certain amount of pressure trying to achieve the six in a row, but that is gone now we are just out to try and win our first again,” Glynn said.

Derrygonnelly are the bookies’ favourites to overcome Enniskillen and form would back this up as they have beaten them in their most recent fixture, the Division One League Final.

But Glynn knows it will take a 60-minute performance from his team, something they have not put together this year, letting teams back into the games they should not be in.

With conceding goals being a huge factor in this: “Our defence has been strong but we have had a tendency to concede goals at crucial times, like we did against Ederney and Kinawley.

“So we need to be on our game to make sure we don’t concede goals.

“Enniskillen have a very talented forward line and at the other end we have struggled ourselves to score goals despite having plenty of possession, but we have worked on that, and hopefully on Sunday we can put a full performance together.

“I think it is going to be a very even match; maybe we are favourites with the bookies on the ground – we know the capability Enniskillen have – and we will certainly not be taking them lightly, and we will be giving them every respect that they deserve.”

And whether it is their first final or seventh consecutive final, Glynn knows that it is great to still be involved at this time of the year.

“The longer you are still playing, the better. The club scene is in the latter part of the year but it’s great to be still involved and have something to look forward to in these long winter nights.”