When you have dominated for so long, it is only natural that words of demise and waning come from those who look on with envy at the success.

Derrygonnelly Harp will be well aware of this.

Having set the standard of Fermanagh football for the best part of a decade, last year’s semi-final defeat to Enniskillen Gaels would have got the claims going that they had reached the top of the hill and were on their way down.

According to Harps captain, Shane McGullion, words to the effect of “Derrygonnelly are finished” were heard during the second half of last week’s semi-final against Kinawley.

Being seven points down, at that stage they may have been somewhat justified but when you have the experience and quality of Derrygonnelly, the opposition should never speak too soon.

Add to that the hurt of 2022, the first time since 2014 that they did not contest a championship final.

“There’s a bit of hurt within the group,” said McGullion.

“Last year we were beaten fair and square by Enniskillen, but there’s a wee bit of hurt because it was the first time in seven years we hadn’t made a final.

“This year there was a real focus to try and put things right and get back to a county final.”

And on the Derrygonnelly no longer setting the standard in Fermanagh McGullion continued: “We’ve heard that Derrygonnelly are done [before]. Even at the weekend halfway through the second half. Everyone is going to have their opinions.

“But you are always going to get that. We have youngsters coming through trying to pick up the baton and bring it on.

“To be fair there’s a real driving force from the youngsters.”

McGullion is somewhere in between the youngsters and the more experienced players at 25. But he has plenty of miles on the clock.

Most of the Harps squad have recent experience of winning championships and the versatile McGullion hopes it will help them on Sunday against Erne Gaels.

“I’m expecting a very tough encounter.

“The last two games we played against them down in Garrison in the championship it’s been one kick of a ball nearly in the end,” he said adding that the Belleek side were dominant in their victory over Enniskillen in the semi-final and expecting a huge challenge as usual.

“I don’t think it is going to be much different unfortunately. They have some great footballers.

“Ultan [Kelm] is one of the best in the country, never mind Fermanagh.

“They have key players everywhere that we are going to have to nullify. Hopefully, we will do a job on them.”

Tightening the defence is one aspect Derrygonnelly will be looking at.

Having shipped three goals to Kinawley and falling seven points behind, McGullion knows this cannot happen again.

“We’re gonna have to keep their scoring down, we know their threats.

“We kind of used our get out of jail card as a lot of ones have said. But I said to the boys after, semi-finals are for winning no matter how you win them.”

Winning as captain will be even more special, McGullion said.

He already lifted the Division One league title but raising aloft the New York Cup will be something else.

“I’m very privileged to be captain of the club.

“I didn’t expect it at the start of the year.

“To lift the league title was very special but it’ll be extra special to lift the championship.

“But already I’ve been told I wouldn’t be the first man from Boho to lift it,” McGullion joked.

“It will be a great privilege.

“I’d be happy to hang up my captaincy after that. It would be a dream.”