Irvinestown manager Shane McDermott knows it is going to take a huge effort from his charges if they are to overcome Cavan Gaels and book their place in the Ulster Minor Club Tournament semi final this Saturday at Colaiste Feirste in Belfast (5pm).

The St Molaise side had a taste of the tournament, which is hosted by St Paul’s, last year and McDermott will be hoping that they can draw on that experience ahead of their meeting with the Cavan champions.

“Last year was a learning experience for us. It is a step up in pace and intensity and that is what we have tried to work on.

“You have to be competitive in all parts of the field. Last year we played in a blizzard so you also have to learn to adapt to the conditions. The first games of the competition this year were on Saturday and the weather conditions weren’t great so you just have to adapt to things like that,” he said.

It has been six weeks since Irvinestown claimed the Fermanagh title with a final victory over Derrygonnelly and McDermott says that while it has been difficult to organise challenge games, he has been pleased with the effort of the players.

“Six weeks has been a long enough time and it has been very hard to get games to keep the lads interest in it but in fairness to the panel they have worked hard. It has been good to have the 4G at the Bawnacre to prepare us for St Paul’s Tournament because the first games are all on the 4G,” he added.

Irvinestown were without their St Michael’s contingent during the Enniskillen school’s MacRory Cup campaign but they have returned now and McDermott keen to get them bedded back in with the club.

“We had five lads in the MacRory squad so that was a bit haphazard but we have them back now and it is a case of trying to get them to gel back together again.

“The plus point about that was that they were getting a high standard of competitive football with the school.”

And McDermott knows that his side are going to have to be at their best against a strong Cavan Gaels side on Saturday.

“They are a very strong team and they beat a good Mullahoran team in the Cavan final. They have some exceptional players; they have Joshua Shehu who is a very skilful player while they have Ben Tully around the middle of the field and they have a strong full forward line,” he said.

McDermott acknowledges that is will take a massive effort for his side to get across the line.

“We are looking for 100 per cent from everybody. We need the work rate and intensity to be high and for the boys to really work hard and stick to the gameplan. Cavan Gaels will be well drilled and very fit so it is going to take concentration from our lads to break them down and also stop them at the other end.

“It is championship football, it is where you want to be and everybody is going to have to be on their game,” he concluded.