Fermanagh hurling manager Joe Baldwin feels that the Conor McGurk Cup is the perfect chance for his new backroom team to cast their eye over the squad ahead of the opening league game against Leitrim.

Fermanagh take on Cavan in Breffni Park on Tuesday evening with the winner to progress to a quarter-final meeting with Queens at the weekend.

“It’s a competitive competition and one that we look forward to playing in every year. We have had a couple of challenge games under our belt already and it is an ideal opportunity to look at some of the new lads who have joined the squad and, more importantly, it gives the new management team an opportunity to assess the individual players moving towards the National League," said Baldwin.

And the Erne manager is expecting a well contested affair as always between the two sides.

“It will be a very competitive game, there is never anything much between ourselves and Cavan. We actually played them in a challenge game last week and I think we won the game by two points. Cavan have some new players in as well and I’m sure they will be looking to get one over on us as neighbours.

“We played them at the same stage last year and we just managed to come out on the right side and I would expect it to be competitive. At this time of the year the hurling might not be too great, weather conditions will dictate that, but it would be nice to get a second day out against Queens if we can get over Cavan,” he added.

And Baldwin intends for him and his management team to look at as many players as possible in the competition.

“Against Cavan last week we used 28 players, we completely changed the 14 outfield players at half time. And we want to get a look at everybody.

“I’m expecting big things this year from young Cathair McManus from Erne Gaels who is a tall, physical guy who is very fast. We are welcoming Tom Keenan back after injury and Tommy Dunne from Galway is a new addition to the squad and we are looking forward to seeing him. There is a lot of players we want to see and these are the ideal games in terms of getting ready for the league,” he concluded.