Fermanagh manager Joe Baldwin knows that this weekend’s game against Louth is key to their hopes in the Nickey Rackard Cup.

Such are the fine margins that if they win, Baldwin will be hoping to make a push for a final spot, but lose and he acknowledges that Fermanagh will be a relegation battle.

Fermanagh, like Louth, have lost their two opening games against Donegal and Wicklow, but Baldwin has insisted from the outset that three wins could take them to the final, and with three games left, there is no room for error.

“Six points was the goal going into this championship, and six points is still there to play for,” said Baldwin.

“While you are very much still in the competition because teams will take points off teams, we have to go to Louth, which hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us.

“Louth will target this win and this is a dogfight, and the players will know that this is a dogfight.

“A win could catapult you going forward, you lose this game and then you are staring relegation in the face.

“This is a three-pointer in every sense of the word so we have to dust ourselves down pretty quick because this game, and this game alone, is the biggest game we will play this year.”

Fermanagh were edged out by two points on Saturday against Wicklow in Ederney but Baldwin believes the game showed that his side are good enough to compete at this level.

“It was disappointing to lose, as we had opportunities, but the one thing that it does prove – and categorically proves this – is that Fermanagh hurling is more than good enough.

“Wicklow are a couple of divisions higher than us and have a massive pick to pick from, but we showed loads of character and loads of skill.

“It was just a couple of wee things but while we’re disappointed it is only adding to the belief we have within the squad,” he added.

He does though acknowledge that Fermanagh have to take more of the chances when they are presented if they are to push on in the championship.

“At this level we need to take absolutely every chance that we create, be it free or from play.

“A lot of players need to have that calmness and coolness when making that final decision on shot selection. We just need a couple of little things to go our way and that one win could be the catalyst for us to march on this year.

“But I’m immensely proud of the effort shown, and I honestly believe that if you keep knocking the door, the door is going to open, and open very soon for us,” he said.

Baldwin has also had to deal with a string of injuries that has left his squad down to the bare bones and that was added to on Saturday when Ciaran Duffy was forced off.

“We lost Ciaran Duffy very early in the game and he was our Player of The Year last year.

“We will welcome Brian Teehan back this week, which will help.

“We have injuries and we don’t have an embarrassment of riches but we just have to get on with it,” he said.

Baldwin though maintains belief that Fermanagh aren’t too far away and he hopes they can pick up that win on Sunday.

“We are very close and I do believe that a win is in the not too distant future, and hopefully we get it on Sunday.”