Fermanagh hurler Sean Corrigan is hoping his side can make a winning start to their Lory Meagher campaign this weekend, two weeks on from their defeat to Warwickshire in the Allianz League Division 3B final in Ederney.

A flawless four wins from four, from the league games, ended in heartbreak for Joe Baldwin’s side in a 1-18 to 1-13 loss but Corrigan says there is little time to dwell on that loss with attention now turning to Leitrim in Drumshanbo on Saturday at 2pm.

“It was a very disappointing performance and result for us, especially when we had topped the group to secure home advantage for the final,” Corrigan said on the loss.

“I wouldn't have been happy with my own performance and I'm sure most other players felt the same.

"After the game, we tried to assess what went wrong but then park it pretty quickly.”

In what would normally be a very busy start to the year that would normally include training and travelling up and down from his now home base in Belfast, Corrigan took time out to travel on his honeymoon which meant he missed pre-season and the beginning of the league campaign and admits he’s been playing catch-up on the fitness side of things.

“It was nice to get away for sure, a very different January than usual,” he added.

“Thankfully the management team gave me the space to do it and were OK with me joining the squad later which I am grateful for. When I was away, I stayed in contact with some of the players to hear how things were going.

"It definitely had me playing catch-up when I got back, as the other players had put in a large body of work. However, that cannot be used as an excuse anymore. I have been back amongst the squad for over two months now and should be well up to speed by now.”

Fermanagh and Baldwin have been aided by a fresh backroom team this year following the departure of Rory O’Donnell, Stephen Smith and Davy Masterson at the end of last season.

Coaches Daithi Hand and Peter Galvin have been alongside Baldwin this campaign along with the addition of Strength and Conditioning coach Aaron Smiley and sports psychologist Annie Higgins.

“Peter and Daithi have come in this year and have been a fresh of breath air,” Corrigan said on the new coaching panel.

“Everyone knows in Fermanagh hurling we pull from a very small panel of players. We aren't in a position to bring in seven or eight new players a year.

"So fresh voices in the backroom team are definitely a good way to keep us on our toes. They have brought success to previous teams and can hopefully do the same with us.”

Leitrim will be first up for Fermanagh in this year’s Lory Meagher with a home game against Cavan to follow.

They will then have a shot to avenge their defeat to Warwickshire with a trip to England in the third weekend of fixtures before finishing with games against Lancashire and Longford.

Fermanagh have tasted success twice in the Lory Meagher over the last decade with their last success coming against Cavan in Croke Park winning 3-26 to 1-17 with Corrigan landing 0-04 that day.

After relegation from the Nicky Rackard last year, another trip to Croker this year is the objective for this side says Corrigan: “Our goal for the rest of the year is to win the Lory Meagher. There is no point in dressing it up any other way.

"We competed at Nicky Rackard level last year and were a puck of a ball away from wins in almost every game.

"We want to get back there next year, the only way to achieve that is by winning the Lory Meagher. However, with championships like this which operate on a Round Robin basis, you have to take it game by game.

"We have not played well enough so far this year to take any team for granted, and we won't be taking the challenge of Leitrim lightly.

"It's championship hurling, it's why we all play the sport. We are looking forward to the challenge.”