When Oisin Smyth was coming through the various age groups at Derrygonnelly, there was always one mainstay in terms of competition for honours: Enniskillen Gaels.

It is fair to say that the pair were the dominant forces in Youth football at that time, and Smyth admits that he always looked forward to the challenge that games between the two teams would bring.

“I would say that we would always have looked forward to playing the Gaels because it was always a good test.

“It was alway the same players, and everybody on the team knew each other, and as we got older the games got better.

“I think the teams matched up well, whatever it was about us,” said the Harps defender.

Now that rivalry is back on the Senior stage, and Smyth acknowledges that with the success enjoyed by the two teams at Youth level, that it was always likely to happen.

“You just look at the amount of success with ourselves and obviously the Gaels at underage.

“They won the Ulster Minor and then the likes of Brandon [Horan] and Conor Love with the Hogan team – the Gaels have been putting a lot of work into underage levels and then with their Intermediate win, it was only a matter of time before they were back at the top.”

The sides have already met in one final this year when the Harps comfortably won the Division One title, but Smyth stresses that championship is different.

‘Completely different level’

“We played the league final but Championship is a completely different level, and I know it is a cliche, but on any given day any one can beat anyone in the Senior Championship, but both teams will be looking forward to a good test,” he said.

Smyth played well that day and has held down a spot in the half back line throughout the Championship so far.

“I think this is my fourth year, and I got my first Championship start this year, so it has definitely been my most enjoyable year, just the amount of game time and, fingers crossed, it will continue.

“Thankfully I have had very few injuries so I have been able to get a good run in the team, and it has given me confidence,” he added.

It has been a tough campaign for the Harps with replays required to see off both Ederney and Kinawley, but Smyth is hoping those games stand to the Harps on Sunday.

“I think we made sure that we were giving the fans the full value for their tickets!

“For the likes of myself, coming over from uni in Scotland, it wasn’t ideal, but the four games against two great teams will hopefully stand to us in the long run.”

However, he is expecting a huge test on Sunday at Brewster Park.

“ I expect as tough a test as we’ve had in any final. They are obviously a young team – I know a lot of the players myself, and any time I have played against them, it has been tough, but hopefully we can rise to the challenge on Sunday,” he added.