Irvinestown joint Manager Shane McDermott knows that his side face a massive test this Saturday when they take on Four Masters in their Ulster Minor Club Tournament preliminary round encounter, but he stresses that this is where the team want to be playing.

This crop of Irvinestown players have dominated in Fermanagh right up through the age groups, and McDermott says the players are keen to test themselves against the best teams in the province at their age.

“This is the level they are looking to play on,” said McDermott. “It is bonus territory for us and it is going to be good for the team to go out and challenge themselves and see where the level is out there and where they need to be at.

“It will definitely be a step up for our guys in terms of intensity and regarding strength and skill levels, but this is what you want to try and test yourself against,” he said.

The St. Molaise side have an abundance of talent in their ranks and they will look to the likes of Oisin Swift, Conor O’Hanlon and Mattie McDermott to lead the way for them, but McDermott expects them to come up against a stern test.

“We have a couple of pieces of information on Four Masters.The same team won the Division Two All-Ireland Feile so they are a very competent team, and well experienced in playing outside their county through the Feile competition.

“Four Masters themselves have won the U-17, U-15 and U-13 county titles, so they have developed a great youth system at the club and these boys are leading the charge with it. They seem to be a very formidable team,” he said.

Irvinestown will go into the game without a number of players, who have been out long-term, and McDermott acknowledges that they will be losses on Saturday.

“We have a couple of long-term injuries. Rhys Love is a long-term injury and was part of the county Minor set-up last year, and played very well for them.

“Patrick Hughes is recovering from a long-term knee injury, and Cian Brogan is just coming back from a collarbone injury.

“We have a good enough panel but those are big enough holes, as those guys on their day would be starting players,” he explained.

Saturday’s game will be played on a 4G pitch and McDermott believes the surface will also have a bearing on the tie.

“It is on a 4G surface which will add a different slant to it as it is a faster game that both teams will have to cope with,” he said.

Irvinestown v Four Masters will throw in at 5pm on Saturday, December 10 at Colaiste Feirste 3G.