By Niall Gartland

FERMANAGH Ladies take on Leitrim in their All-Ireland Intermediate Championship group stage opener this Saturday – and Erne manager Barry McKenna is looking forward to pitting his wits against a man who knows plenty about Fermanagh football.

Like McKenna, Leitrim boss Jonny Garrity is a native of Tyrone. That in itself adds a layer of intrigue to Saturday’s encounter, but it’s Garrity’s Fermanagh connections that could be a more significant influence on the contest.

Garrity steered the Fermanagh ladies to All-Ireland Junior honours in 2020, and while he’s now over Leitrim, he’s also employed as Fermanagh’s Games Development Officer. Just as pertinently, Leitrim landed All-Ireland Intermediate honours in 2024 so this is a tough opening tie for Fermanagh.

McKenna said: “They’ve been there or thereabouts trying to get out of Division Four over the last number of years. Two years ago they won the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship, so last year they were playing in Division Four and in the All-ireland Senior championship, which is really unheard of.

“I went to watch them against Wicklow, they’ve played a game already, and they’re a well-organised, well-drilled team. You can tell they have that experience of playing at senior level.

“I know Jonny Garrity really well, so I’m looking forward to coming up against him on the sideline. There’s a friendly rivalry there.

“We’ll see what happens, but hopefully the result goes our way and we can earn a bit of bragging rights.”

This is McKenna’s first season in charge of Fermanagh, though he didn’t come in cold as he previously oversaw Kinawley’s Ladies team. They had some promising results in the league, though promotion ultimately proved elusive.

“To be honest, from what I can see, there’s loads of talent in Fermanagh. I was with Kinawley for a year and saw that first-hand. That’s probably what interested me in the first place. You could see the quality not just in Kinawley but in other clubs as well.

“I think there’s so much potential and opportunity within this group. I know there’s more to come back next year as well. If everyone gets their heads right and puts the work in, they’ll go higher. It’s definitely within them to take that next step.”

McKenna also highlights the contribution of newer faces on the scene who have blended well with more seasoned campaigners – experienced stars such as Eimear Smyth, whom he firmly believes is the best forward in the country.

“This year we’ve brought in a few younger girls. Probably Sinéad Barrett is the standout. She’d been there or thereabouts over the last year or so, but she’s really established herself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.

“Aisling Keenan has come into the defence and she’s been outstanding for us all year.

“Then you have the likes of Courteney Murphy and Shannan McQuade, who have been unbelievable defenders.

“You mentioned Eimear – she’s definitely the ace in the pack. I’d count her as the best forward in Ireland, no doubt about it.

“Some of the performances she puts in, and some of the things you see her do in training, are just different class. On top of that, she’s one of the most down-to-earth people you could work with.

“She has it all going for her and hopefully we can use all of that to our advantage in the All-Ireland series.”