We look at some of the battles that could prove decisive on Saturday evening.

Che Cullen v Shane McGuigan

Accurate with great movement, McGuigan is Derry’s key forward and the Oak Leafs top scorer from both play and frees in the league so it will be imperative that Fermanagh get a handle on him. Has played a bit deeper at times during the league but ideally Derry would like to place him closer to goal where he can cause maximum damage.

Fermanagh do have options as to who would take on the man marking job but it could well fall to Che Cullen. Since his return to the fold Cullen has been very impressive. Physically imposing and quick, Cullen has done a couple of fine marking jobs in the league and is likely to be the man that Fermanagh look to in their bid to keep a wrap on McGuigan.

Ultan Kelm v Conor McCluskey

Kelm is coming into the championship on the back of an exceptional league campaign where he was Fermanagh’s top scorer from play. The Erne Gaels man has power and pace and not only is he able to take a score but is capable of bringing others into play as well. Derry will have singled him out as one of Fermanagh’s key operators and know that if they can do a job on him then it will go along way to taking them to the win. That task may go to Conor McCluskey who has proven to be one of the top defenders in the country over the last few years. McCluskey is a good man marker, he has pace and is aggressive and he would also look to put Kelm on the back foot by driving forward as Rory Gallagher likes his defender to do.

Brandon Horan v Brendan Rodgers

The influence of Rodgers will be something that Fermanagh will have to limit if they are to spring a surprise at Brewster Park on Saturday. Last year he was a stand out player at full back but Rory Gallagher was keen to utilise his talents further out the pitch where he can hurt the opposition more. Athletic and strong, Rodgers will run all day in carrying the game to Fermanagh and has the knack of popping up with scores - just like he did for the winner against Dublin in the league.

Brandon Horan may well be tasked with trying to stop Rodgers and the Enniskillen man does relish jobs like this. It will require discipline and concentration while Horan is unlikely to be on his own in trying to restrict Rodgers. Kieran Donnelly will also hope that Horan can impose his own game on the contest and has shown during the league that he has a good range of passing in his locker.