Often in the clash of David and Goliath, David may get a few well wishes to ease the nerves. As Kinawley face Derrygonnelly this weekend, that will likely be the case across Fermanagh. But they will not expect too many Christmas cards from Belnaleck.
A bright league campaign minus star man Darragh McGurn had shown encouraging signs. Talisman Che Cullen was in mesmerising form at both ends of the pitch, while manager Nigel Seaney (a Tyrone SFC winner with Trillick) was earning plaudits on the line alongside fellow former Fermanagh footballer Daniel Kille.
And yet they were pipped at the post by a Kinawley side that earned a final day league win in typical Dom Corrigan fashion. What followed was an impressive league final appearance, but ultimately defeat to this weekend’s opposition, Derrygonnelly.
Even prior to the start of this championship, the man at the Kinawley helm’s claims that “getting out of the group is our sole objective” probably fell on deaf ears. A last-gasp quarter-final defeat of Belnaleck was their first step beyond.
With Castleblayney, with St Michael’s Enniskillen, or with Kinawley, Corrigan isn’t the type to accept defeat.
The extra time in the league final was described as “tough” but “a valuable experience in the long term”. What the exact definition of the long term is, no one knows, but the pieces of the puzzle seem to have fallen into place.
Extra time again last week saw Corrigan’s son Ruairí pop up with the final effort for a crucial one-point win. It’s in the blood, it seems.
And now the small matter of Derrygonnelly Harps is the next task.
Elsewhere, last year’s runners-up Erne Gaels must attempt to complete 2022’s failed mission in toppling reigning champions Enniskillen Gaels. Conor Love was the thorn in their side then, and they must aim to curtail his influence once more.
Last week’s match winner Ultan Kelm will need to exert a huge influence once more if there is to be an ambush on the cards, but the Fermanagh SFC decider seems set for a clash of the early season front runners Enniskillen and Derrygonnelly.
