Fermanagh Manager Kieran Donnelly is looking no further ahead than this weekend’s opening Division Three encounter against Longford in Ederney.

In what looks to be a highly-competitive league, Donnelly says that they will be aiming to build momentum with an early positive result at home.

“I think the goal for us, with it being a young squad, is just to take it one game at a time and get off to a good start with a home game against Longford, and then just try to build momentum into the Offaly game.

“We lost our opening game last year and responded well, so we know it is not all over if you don’t win the opening game, but it is always a bonus to get off to a win – it just breeds that confidence early.”

Fermanagh faced Longford twice last year, coming away with wins in both the league and Tailteann Cup, but with a new management in place Donnelly expects an improved Longford.

“We know Longford inside-out but they are coming with a new management, probably a new system, and with some players back on board, so they will be a different animal to last year so the focus will be to just get a good start and get early points on the table,” he stated.

And he knows that it is going to be a tough test for his charges as Longford will travel to Ederney full of confidence after securing the O’Byrne Cup with victory over Louth last weekend.

“They had a real good campaign – they beat Laois and Carlow, they drew with Meath, and then they beat Louth in the final.

“They will come in with the confidence that winning any competition will give you, and they have added two or three experienced players who have come back in, so it will be a massive challenge.

“There has never been much in any of the games between the sides and we know we will really have to be at it to win the game,” he added.

Donnelly feels that there were positives for Fermanagh to take out of their own pre-season competition, the McKenna Cup, despite defeats to Tyrone and Derry.

However, he knows that they must start to take a greater percentage of the chances they create if they are to make an impact in the league.

‘Took heart’

“We took heart from the fact that we didn’t concede goals in the McKenna Cup and we looked solid so we realise we have a platform there to go on and perform.

“ It is just a matter of us now tidying up that final third. The onus is on us to finish our moves and if we do that, we can definitely push on,” said the Erne Manager.

Fermanagh were without attackers Sean Quigley, Darragh McGurn and Sean Cassidy through injury for the McKenna Cup, but although the trio are back training, Donnelly is unsure if they will be available for the Longford game.

“There is no guarantee because they are just back training, so it could be doubtful and we will have to see how this week goes.

“They are in a good place compared to the outlook a few weeks ago; long-term, it looks good for them, but we are just not too sure about the short-term at the minute,” he said.

With Brewster Park unavailable due to necessary work at the Enniskillen ground, this opening home game will now be played in Ederney, and Donnelly believes that it is a good venue for the contest.

“It is a great pitch and great venue. The boys obviously enjoy playing at Brewster Park, but Ederney is a great facility and a great pitch and there is always a great atmosphere there.”

Division Three does have a real competitive feel to it, and the Fermanagh Manager believes that all teams are capable of taking points off each other.

“I think the favourites initially would have been Westmeath and Cavan, but Down are holding their hands up; they have talent in the county and have had a bounce under Conor Laverty.

“Those teams will come into the reckoning and fancy their chances, but there are numerous teams who will take points off each other, so it will just mean it will be quite spread out and competitive throughout it.

“It is going to be an extremely competitive division, but that’s what makes the National League so exciting, because you are playing teams that are all of that similar level,” he concluded.