Fermanagh manager Kieran Donnelly accepted that a mid-table finish was a fair reflection on his side’s league campaign.

The Ernemen rounded off their league programme with defeat to Limerick and although it has been a mixed bag, Donnelly feels that they have learnt plenty over the course of the seven games.

“Mid-table doesn’t lie,” he said.

“There are positives to take out of it though. We got to blood a good few players and a lot of players got a good bit of experience.

“In tough environments and tough venues in Longford, Westmeath and Wicklow, the young lads showed they could stand up and play in tough scenarios and situations so that was the most pleasing thing about it.

“It could easily have gone the other way if we hadn’t of taken points in those places so we will learn from it and hopefully develop,” he said.

The win for Limerick on Sunday saw them secure promotion to Division Two for 2023 and Donnelly felt that when Fermanagh did close the gap back to a single point, the motivation that possible promotion brought drove Limerick on.

“We got them back to a point at one stage and if there was more in the game for us that edge is with you more, but the fact that they were going for promotion probably gave them that extra motivation to kick on and they then had the players to combine that with also.

“I did feel that they were the best team we had played as well, they had a lot pace, power and size in certain areas of the pitch that we struggled to handle in periods of the game.”

The focus for Fermanagh now turns to the championship an a meeting with All Ireland champions Tyrone in Brewster Park.

There’s no doubt that it is a difficult assignment for Fermanagh but it is one that they should relish, believes Donnelly.

“It has been on the horizon and Tyrone have found their form at a critical stage and especially beating Kerry last week so it is a massive task but there is no pressure on our fellas.

“The fact that the All Ireland champions are coming to Brewster Park, which has never been done, is something the players can enjoy and look to bring the best version of themselves to this game.

“It is no doubt an uphill task but it is a challenge that any player should relish,” he stressed.

Fermanagh suffered another injury blow on Sunday with midfielder Joe McDade forced off with an ankle injury after only 17 minutes which was his first game since getting injured in the league opener.

Donnelly says they won’t know the full extent of the Lisnaskea man’s injury until the swelling goes down.

“Joe has been really unfortunate this last two or three months, we are hoping that it will just be short term but we have to leave it for a few days as it is quite swollen at the moment.”

He is though hopeful that captain Declan McCusker will return for the meeting with the Red Hands.

“We would be quite hopeful that Decky will be back in time for that,” he stated.