Enniskillen and Ederney will go head to head on Saturday evening (at 6pm) in Donagh for the Intermediate Championship title.

The Gaels overcame Belcoo to book their place in the final and Ederney saw off the challenge of Belnaleck, with a good game expected between the two sides in the final.

Enniskillen joint Manager Fiacre O’Donnell believes that a final appearance is nothing less than his players deserve for the effort they have put in this year.

“It is a great occasion for the girls – they have been putting in a big effort since February. While we were still in lockdown, they were training away by themselves, so it is just rewards for the efforts that they have put in this year,” he said.

The Gaels will be looking to complete a league and championship double with victory on Saturday, and O’Donnell acknowledges that would be a great achievement.

“It would be incredible. They had the final a couple of years ago against Aghadrumsee and, I think for all that, they have had a big learning experience and it took them a while to get back, but they have now got themselves into a brilliant position, and it is all credit to them,” he said.

Enniskillen had looked as if they were going to ease their way into the final after building up a substantial lead against Belcoo in last Saturday’s semi-final, only to be hanging on at the end as Belcoo hit back with a strong second half, and O’Donnell accepts that there are lessons to take from that game.

“We have a few things that we need to focus on. We just need to keep the level of concentration up the whole way through the hour, and we need to stick to the jobs that we’re supposed to be doing, and I think then that we have the ability to get a result.”

Enniskillen have a sharp forward line with Erin Tierney, Eimear Keenan and Orla Murphy all scoring threats while they will also look for big performances from the likes of Shauna Murphy and Eimear Corrigan.

However, O’Donnell is expecting a massive challenge from Ederney.

“Ederney have a selection of really good players. We watched them against Belnaleck and they had a number of impressive performers, so it is going to be a tough game and a good challenge,” he added.

Ederney Manager Sean McGrath has a few injury worries ahead of the final, but says that they are looking forward to it.

“We have a few injuries at the minute which would be a concern for us. Dana Teague has a knee injury and she will need an operation, so unfortunately she is out, and she is a very good footballer.

“Dearbhaile McMenamin suffered a hamstring injury, so she is a doubt, and then Eimear McGrath has a back problem. Apart from that though, everybody else is fit and ready to go. We are in the final and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

Ederney will look for a big display from county star Sarah Britton at midfield; Aine Walsh and Katie Teague are important players in their attack, while Emma McCusker and Eimear McGrath will be aiming to keep the reins on the Gaels forward line.

McGrath has also seen things that he would like to improve from their semi-final performance.

“It was a pleasing performance with the wind, but we missed a lot – both teams missed a lot. We finished stronger than we started, so I would like us to start the way we finished the Belnaleck game,” he added.

Ederney have a youthful side and McGrath expects Enniskillen to provide a physical test for his side, but he states that they can’t wait to get going.

“I expect Enniskillen to be physical and strong. We have a very young side – we have a lot of 16- and 17-year-olds – and they would be older and more mature.

“We are raring to go, though. They are relishing it and they can’t wait to get going.”