Duffy feels Fermanagh has the right age profile to step up to higher level

Indeed, he says that they can look to Sligo’s back-to-back wins in the Lory Meagher and Nickey Rackard as an example of what can be done.

“I remember a few years ago that Sligo won the Lory Meagher, and went straight up and won the Nickey Rackard, and there is no reason why we can’t replicate that.

“We have the players, we have the fitness – some of us are in the shape of our lives – and I feel that we are at the right age now to step up to this level.

“We showed that over the past 12 months by winning the Lory Meagher, and getting promoted, that we are good enough, so we are here by merit and we are not scared of any team. We are here to compete, and we are just going to be as competitive as we can be,” he said.

Fermanagh hurling is in a good place at present, with the side following up their Lory Meagher Cup success with last Saturday evening’s Division 3B title win over Longford, and Duffy states that the players and management are keen to test themselves against better opposition on a regular basis.

“That’s the only way you can improve – to test yourself against the better teams.

“We want to test ourselves against better players and better teams and, as I say, I think we are at a good age as well to try and compete at this level.

“We have some very skilful hurlers in our team and I think it is only right that the likes of Tom Keenan, Danny Teague and Sean Corrigan play against these teams and show what they can do,” said the Lisbellaw club man, who says they will be doing everything in their power to ensure that they continue to compete at a higher level.

“We want to maintain ourselves at this level and we want to push on and improve.

“It wouldn’t be ideal to be relegated, but we will do everything we can to stay up and retain our Nickey Rackard status.

“We won’t take anything too lightly; we want to get Fermanagh hurling up to a place where it is healthy and growing and people want to watch us, so we will just go and give it our best,” he added.

Leading lights

Duffy has been one of the leading lights for Fermanagh, to date, this year and is revelling in his new position at midfield.

“I started playing midfield for Lisbellaw and they have trusted me to play for Fermanagh there as well.

“I have to prove myself because I’m not the biggest and I’m not the strongest, but skill-wise it suits me very well, and I’m very happy that they have given me the chance to play there.

“When you have a management who has confidence in you and tells you to go out and play your game, it is great,” he commented.

Duffy is part of a new wave of young hurlers coming through in Fermanagh and driving the team on, and he believes that the squad now is the strongest he has been involved in.

“That is one of the things that has improved massively since I started playing hurling for Fermanagh; there is a squad there now and you can bring players on and the standard isn’t dropping.

“It is actually really good to see and it is great to see boys developing and getting game time, where two years ago they were maybe nowhere near the level.

“We have a squad of players here who can play and that has only got to be a positive for performances,” he said.

With championship coming quick on the heels of the league, there was little time for celebrating last Saturday’s success as focus quickly switched to this Sunday’s clash against Donegal.

“As soon as we got promotion last week our eyes were straight on Donegal and we are happy that we have them at home in the first game.

“They are probably one of the teams that are looking at winning the competition, but there is no reason why we can’t beat Donegal on Sunday if we give it our best,” he said.

Nickey Rackard Cup Fixtures

April 10

Fermanagh v Donegal

Sunday, April 17

Tyrone v Fermanagh

Sunday, April 24

Fermanagh v Warwickshire

Saturday, May 7

Armagh v Fermanagh

Saturday, May 14

Fermanagh v Roscommon