Fermanagh U20s’ nine-point victory over Antrim last Friday was the perfect tonic for Josh Largo-Elis and Fermanagh football after a difficult couple of weeks.

With the U17s losing out agonisingly to a last-minute goal from Monaghan and the senior team being easily dispatched in the Ulster Championship, again by Monaghan, the win brought a smile back to the face of Fermanagh Gaels.

Glad to win

Looking back at the last couple of weeks as part of the senior team, Largo-Elis is glad to have picked up a win in county colours.

“That senior game, it was very disappointing. We didn’t perform on the day but it was good to get straight back into it and get the win over Antrim on Friday night.”

Last Friday in Brewster Park Fermanagh put in an impressive performance with Largo-Elis excelling as captain hitting an early goal as well as being an all-round leader.

‘Great honour’

But while he is given the title of captain, Largo-Elis is modest about the role.

“It’s a great honour to be captain of your county but at the end of the day it’s not just one leader there are 15 captains on the team,” said the Irvinestown player.

And with a place in the Ulster Final up for grabs on Friday night in Armagh, Largo-Elis knows every player who takes to the field will have to lead from the front to get over a dangerous Down side.

Down had 14 points to spare over Cavan with a 2-17 to 0-09 win. Largo-Elis knows Fermanagh will have to be just as clinical as Down in front of goals if they are to stand a chance.

“We looked back at it and our shot to score ratio was only 48 per cent overall and Down’s was 70 per cent, I think.

“So we have to take more chances in the shooting zone and stop silly shot selection and take our time when we are taking shots, especially free kicks which we should be putting over the bar.

“And if we stop Down scoring goals we will have a great chance.”

Down have some dangerous players in the cut of John McGovern and Shealan Johnston but the Mourne side will be well aware of Fermanagh’s threats.

St. Michael’s link

Conor Laverty, Down manager, was part of the St. Michael’s College Hogan Cup winning management team.

With nine of that squad starting against Antrim, Laverty will now plenty. But Largo-Elis knows that won’t count for much at the same time: “He will know a right bit about us and they’ll be well prepared but he can’t do anything. It’s all about the players on the pitch.”

Down have produced many a quality underage team and will likely go in as favourites for the semi-final but the Fermanagh captain echoed the words of Fermanagh boss, Maurice McLaughlin about hard work.

“We have all the talent in the world in the changing room but if we don’t work we are not going anywhere.

“Loads of people around the country would probably see us as going in as underdogs but we are up for the challenge. If we play the way we can, we can beat anyone.”