When Enniskillen, and indeed Fermanagh, look for a man to try and shut down what is perceived as the opposition’s main threat, the answer more often than not is Jonny Cassidy.

Cassidy has had a superb Championship, to date, as Enniskillen have made it back to a second Championship final in a row.

And there is no doubt that Cassidy will have another big assignment ahead in the final when they take on Erne Gaels.

It is a disciplined job to be asked to do but it is one that Cassidy just gets on with. “I suppose, as a defender, I find myself naturally getting that role.

“It is not very glamorous but every team needs them, and looking at our team we are spoilt for choice with the likes of James Ferguson, who enjoys those roles, and it gives other players around them the freedom to get forward,” said Cassidy.

The past couple of games have also seen Cassidy pushed further out the field.

Firstly, he tracked Darragh McGurn as the Gaels overcame Belnaleck in the quarter-final and he followed that up with a great man-marking job on Derrygonnelly Captain Ryan Jones, as he curtailed the influential midfielder.

“I don’t mind being out in the middle because you can get more involved in the play out there than I would maybe standing in the full back line.

“I have more freedom to maybe get forward than I would by marking someone inside.

“I think every player likes to be further out the pitch where there is more chance to get on the ball and push forward,” he added.

Last year, Enniskillen played second fiddle to Derrygonnelly in the final and Cassidy felt that day showed them where they had to get to if they were to compete at this level.

‘Harsh reality’

“Last year, Derrygonnelly probably showed us the harsh reality of the level we were at, and the level we need to get to.

“We have done a lot right since then but we are by no means the finished article, so we have a lot more right to do if we are to fulfil our potential,” he said.

And he acknowledges that it is going to take a massive performance if they are to get past Erne Gaels on Sunday.

“Belleek are a top side who are full of threats all over the pitch and who can hurt any team.

“They were the most consistent team this year in the league and deservedly won the league.

“It is going to take a lot of big individual performances if we are to get over the line.”

There is a lot of quality in the Erne Gaels side, not least county colleague Ultan Kelm, but Cassidy is very aware that he is far from their only threat.

“Ultan is a massive player for Belleek, but it’s not only Ultan – you have Lyso [Ryan Lyons], Oisin Kelm and others, and they will all need to be watched.”

It has been 16 years since Enniskillen last lifted the New York Cup and for Erne Gaels there is a 41-year wait, and Cassidy believes that both sides need to grasp the opportunity when it is there.

“Belleek and ourselves are in a similar situation in that neither of us have won a Championship in a number of years, so both will be keen to get over the line because you never know when you will be back there.

“You have to make the most of the opportunity when it is there,” he said.

And, he stresses that it is all about winning on Sunday.

“There has been a lot of talk about this being a coming Enniskillen team and it is good now that we have backed it up by being in two finals in a row.

“But Sunday is just about trying to get over the line – that would be massive for us,” he said.