The second game in this year’s Ulster Championship has a similar feel to the first. Not many people outside of Fermanagh will give them much of a chance of upsetting the odds against the defending Ulster champions Derry.
The Erne County have home advantage, but they played all of their League games in St Joseph’s GAC Ederney as the pitch at Brewster Park underwent work in the early part of the season.
Kieran Donnelly’s men were among the favourites for relegation from Division Three, but will ply their trade in Division Two next season.
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Despite losing the Division Three final to Cavan, Fermanagh will be keen to test themselves against the reigning champions.
Attacker Ciaran Corrigan remains sidelined and Sean Quigley has not been named in the 26-man panel.
Derry also lost a League final when they conceded four goals against Dublin in the Division Two decider, but that’s a minor blip in what has been a stellar start to the 2023 campaign for Rory Gallagher’s men.
Conor Glass has recovered from a hamstring strain and is fit to start while Padraig McGrogan is also available.
It is understood that Ciaran McFaul returned to the Derry squad last week and is a surprise inclusion in the match-day squad and it will be interesting to see if Gallagher gives him some game time against his native county.
We take a closer look at the key battles which could decide the outcome of Saturday’s game.
Team line-outs:
Fermanagh
Sean McNally
Luke Flanagan 3. Che Cullen 4. Cian McManus
5. Johnny Cassidy 6. Shane McGullion 7. Lee Cullen
8. Ryan Jones 9. Brandon Horan
10. Aidan Breen 11. Ryan Lyons 12. Ronan McCaffrey
13 Ultan Kelm 14. Darragh McGurn 15. Josh Largo Ellis
Derry (possible)
Odhran Lynch
Chrissy McKaigue 3. Padraig McGrogan 4. Conor McCluskey
5. Conor Doherty 6. Gareth McKinless 7. Padraig Cassidy
8. Conor Glass 9. Brendan Rogers
10. Niall Toner 11. Paul Cassidy 12. Ethan Doherty
13. Benny Heron 14. Shane McGuigan 15 Niall Loughlin
Key battles
Ultan Kelm (Fermanagh) vs Conor McCluskey (Derry)
Ultan Kelm has been Fermanagh’s standout player during the League and he gave a glimpse of what he was capable of in the Division Three final against Cavan.
Also scored a vital goal in the comeback win over Antrim and has the ability to make things happen up front for the Erne County.
Conor McCluskey is, quite simply, one of the best defenders in Ireland and will be put on the Fermanagh attacker at some point during Saturday’s contest.
Darragh McGurn (Fermanagh) vs Chrissy McKaigue (Derry)
Despite the absence of Sean Quigley, Fermanagh will have the option of going route one with the imposing Darragh McGurn likely to play at 14.
The Belnaleck attacker plundered a goal in the League final loss to Cavan and Derry might decide to put their 2022 Ulster title-winning captain on McGurn.
Chrissy McKaigue wasn’t risked during the Division Two final, but is fit to be named in the starting line-up for Saturday evening.
Ryan Jones (Fermanagh) vs Conor Glass (Derry)
Like McKaigue, Conor Class has been an injury doubt in the build up to Saturday’s clash, but the Derry captain has been named at midfield.
He enjoyed a remarkable 2022 campaign for club and county and his leadership around the middle third is vital.
Ryan Jones is a fine midfielder as well and he’ll be hoping he can break even against the Derry All Star.
Shane McGuigan (Derry) vs Lee Cullen (Fermanagh)
As was the case last season, Shane McGuigan is Derry’s leading scorer by some distance.
Still managed to plunder 0-6 including three from play against Dublin in the Division Two League final defeat and Fermanagh know they must limit his influence to stand a chance on Saturday.
Fermanagh defender Lee Cullen has been in fine form this season and might take up man-marking duties on McGuigan, although brother Che is also an option for Kieran Donnelly.
Ethan Doherty (Derry) vs Josh Largo Ellis (Fermanagh)
Ethan Doherty has emerged as one of the most talented creative players in Ireland over the last 12 months.
His ability to break lines and set up scores was of crucial importance to both Derry and Glen in 2022.
Fermanagh might opt to put a man-marker on Doherty to try and limit his impact and Josh Largo Ellis appears the most likely candidate.
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