Fermanagh begin their Division Three campaign this Saturday afternoon in Ederney when they take on Longford and manager Kieran Donnelly, his management team and players will be hoping that they can get off to a positive start and put points on the board early in what looks to be a very competitive league this year.

Certainly, on paper, this year’s Division Three appears to be tougher than last year with a rejuvenated Down under new manager Conor Laverty and Offaly dropping down from Division Two while Tipperary and Cavan have come up from Division Four. Add to that, 2022 Tailteann Cup winners Westmeath, a Longford side who will enter the league with confidence after their O’Byrne Cup win and Antrim who will be hoping to have a bounce under new manager Andy McEntee and it is clear that there are a number of teams who will have serious aspirations of being in the mix at the top end of the table come the business end of the competition.

And the fact that there are three other Ulster teams in the section just makes it that bit more competitive for Donnelly and his charges.

Fermanagh will though be hoping to be among the contenders but the first goal must be to ensure that they secure that Division Three status and then set new targets once they have achieved that.

The Ernemen have been greatly boosted by the return of the Cullen twins, Che and Lee, who will bring quality, physicality and experience to the back line. Indeed, Che looked as if he had never been away during the McKenna Cup while Lee will be expected to make an impact once he gets up to speed having only returned from Australia last month.

The McKenna Cup brought two big tests against quality opposition for Fermanagh against Tyrone and Derry and Donnelly will feel that there was plenty of positives to come out of it despite the two defeats. The fact that they kept two clean-sheets in particular will have pleased the Erne boss and defensively Fermanagh do look solid with Cullen, Johnny Cassidy, Luke Flanagan, Declan McCusker, Ronan McCaffrey and Shane McGullion providing them with a strong base at the back although captain McCusker is a doubt for Saturday’s opener.

At midfield, Fermanagh are likely to start with the experienced Ryan Jones and Brandon Horan while Stephen McGullion is also an option although it is a sector that they don’t have much cover in with Joe McDade currently ruled out.

It is up front though that the familiar issue of lack of scores was evident in the McKenna Cup although Fermanagh were without key forwards Sean Quigley and Darragh McGurn during the competition. Both are now back in contention along with Sean Cassidy who was also recovering from injury while Garvan Jones, Ultan Kelm, Josh Largo Elis, Aidan Breen, Ciaran Corrigan and Ryan Lyons are others who could feature in the forward line.

Donnelly will also be hoping to give time to newcomers like Fionan O’Brien, Diarmuid King and Eoghan McManus during the league campaign.

It is going to be a tough campaign and getting off to a good start will be important.

Fermanagh will be targeting two points on Saturday and if they can gain those then they can move positively into the rest of the campaign with a trip to Tullamore to take on Offaly then followed by a home game against Down.

Division Three fixtures:

Saturday January 28

Fermanagh v Longford

Sunday February 5

Offaly v Fermanagh

Saturday February 18

Fermanagh v Down

Saturday February 25

Antrim v Fermanagh

Sunday March 5

Fermanagh v Tipperary

Saturday March 18

Fermanagh v Westmeath

Sunday March 26

Cavan v Fermanagh

Fermanagh NFL panel 2023:

Darragh McGurn, Che Cullen, Lee Cullen, Garret Cavanagh (all Belnaleck); Kevin McDonnell, Josh Largo Ellis (both Irvinestown); Sean Quigley (Roslea); Cian McManus, Ronan McCaffrey, Sean McNally (all Teemore); Aidan Breen, Ryan Breen (both Tempo); Luke Flanagan, Danny Leonard (Derrylin); Declan McCusker (captain), Conor McGee, Sean Cassidy (all Ederney); Joe McDade (Lisnaskea); Ciaran Corrigan (Maguiresbridge); Brandon Horan, Johnny Cassidy, Conor McShea (all Enniskillen Gaels); Tommy McCaffey, Ultan Kelm, Aoghan Kelm, Ryan Lyons, Oisin Kelm, Jack McCann (all Erne Gaels); Ryan Jones, Conall Jones, Garvin Jones, Shane McGullion, Stephen McGullion, Jack Kelly, Oisin Smyth (all Derrygonnelly); Fionan O'Brien (Devenish); Eoghan McManus (Kinawley), Diarmuid King (Newtownbutler).