Watch Fermanagh v Derry live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (IoI) this Saturday from 5.40pm. Live updates on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ Aertel.
by Séamus Leonard
Most of us would have expected Monaghan to be playing this Saturday in Omagh, but, Fermanagh, as they have become prone to in recent years, upset the odds again when they downed the Farney.
Nobody expected Monaghan to run away with the game. However, the extremely poor quality shown by Seamus McEneaney’s men must be factored into to any analysis of how well Fermanagh performed.
The Ernesiders implemented the blanket defence to good effect, but it was their complete domination of the midfield area that stood out. The partnership of Marty McGrath and Mark Murphy cleaned up and Derry may find it hard to cope with the pair, especially with Fergal Doherty marked absent through suspension.
Though it was a fine win for Fermanagh, their inability to put away Monaghan will be a source of concern, as such a lack of ruthlessness will not wash against a Derry side that would now have to be considered favourites to add the Ulster title to their NFL Division 1 success.
Shane McCabe was very impressive when he came off the bench the last day for Fermanagh, and manager Malachy O'Rourke's decision to keep in reserve could prove to be inspired should his side need a tonic in the latter stages at Healy Park.
Through a combination of Doherty's suspension and a couple of injuries (most notably Seán Marty Lockhart), Derry are still unable to field what would generally be accepted to be their first-choice XV. But the Oak Leafers' confidence will surely be high after beating neighbours Donegal in their own back yard in Ballybofey.
The only major dysfunction that Paddy Crozier’s men showed that day was some terrible shooting by Eoin Bradley.
No doubt his trigger-happy tendencies have been addressed in the interim, and you would expect that the league champions will be a lot more economical in front of the posts as a result.
Verdict: Derry
