PREVIEWS: Championship time arrives in Fermanagh

HERE are this weekend’s Fermanagh football fixtures. Details are correct at the time of writing.

Check the Fermanagh website for any changes before making your journey.

FERMANAGH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE

GROUP A

ENNISKILLEN GAELS V BELNALECK

Friday, Brewster Park, 8pm

HAVING lost last year’s decider to Erne Gaels, Enniskillen Gaels will be eager to get their hands back on the New York Gold Cup and it all begins on Friday night. They should get their campaign up and running with a home win.

Verdict: Enniskillen Gaels

DERRYGONNELLY V LISNASKEA

Sunday, Derrygonnelly, 1.30pm

A DIFFICULT assignment for Lisnaskea, who won the Intermediate Championship last season. They face a tough away day trip to Derrygonnelly to kickstart their senior account and the hosts will be big favourites.

Verdict: Derrygonnelly

GROUP B

TEEMORE SHAMROCKS V KINAWLEY

Saturday, Teemore, 6.30pm

TEEMORE finished ten points above Kinawley in the league, which may point to a straight forward home win on Saturday evening but championship is rarely as straight forward as that and it could be a lot closer.

Verdict: Teemore

ERNE GAELS V EDERNEY

Sunday, Belleek, 4.30pm

T’S been a long time since Erne Gaels headed into a championship campaign with the favourites’ tag on their back. How that effects them could have a bearing on this result, but they should get their title defence off the ground with a win.

Verdict: Erne Gaels

FERMANAGH INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE

GROUP A

BELCOO V ROSLEA

Saturday, Derrygonnelly, 4pm

ROSLEA lost just two games in the league, one of them being in the Division Two final, while Belcoo finished on zero points at the bottom of the Division One league table, so momentum will be with Roslea.

Verdict: Roslea

IRVINESTOWN V MAUGIRESBRIDGE

Sunday, Irvinestown, 1.30pm

IRVINESTOWN came very close to getting their hands on the title last season but just came up short in the end against Lisnaskea. They’ll be one of the top contenders this year and will want to start the campaign on the front foot.

Verdict: Irvinestown

GROUP B

AGHADRUMSEE V TEMPO MAGUIRES

Saturday, Aghadrumsee, 4pm

DIVISION Two league champions Aghadrumsee move into the business end of the season with plenty of momentum and will fancy their chances of opening their championship account with a win.

Verdict: Aghadrumsee

DEVENISH V DERRYLIN

Saturday, Devenish, 8.30pm

DEVENISH performed really well in Division One of the league, finishing just four points off the top of the table, which makes them massive favourites heading into this game.

Verdict: Devenish