Division Two champions Irvinestown will be aiming to carry the form they displayed in the league into the championship as they get ready for their opening group game away to Tempo on Saturday.

And St. Molaise Manager Francie Ward is hopeful that they can make a big push in what looks to be a competitive championship.

“We would like to win it and we believe that we are good enough to win it, but most teams will be thinking the same,” said Ward.

“Obviously, the Division One teams will be the favourites, but we have been playing well; we’ve had a good season so far in winning Division Two and that has given us confidence. If we can stay injury-free then I would like to think that we can give it a good rattle.”

He knows though that they will have to be at their best if they are to come away from Tempo on Saturday with the points in the bag.

Tempo did not have the league campaign that they would have wanted, but Ward feels that they remain a dangerous outfit.

“It is a tough opener. Tempo have had a good break now since the end of the league and they will be ready for what we will throw at them.

“They have a lot of experience and they are well schooled and I don’t think the league showed how good they are. It is going to be a big test up there and we will know better where we stand after that game,” he added.

Tempo’s Rory McCaffrey acknowledges that the Maguires will be the underdogs on Saturday, but he is hoping that home advantage works in Tempo’s favour, the Maguires unbeaten at St. Patrick’s Park in the league.

“They are league champions and I suppose even taking into account the teams in Division One, Irvinestown have the most momentum because they have won every game.

“So they are going to be coming to Tempo fired-up and very confident, so we are going to be up against it.

“And we are under no illusions that they are going to be heavy favourites but it’s like anything else – when anyone comes to your home patch, you’re quietly confident in yourself, so we will just see how Saturday goes.

“We weren’t beaten at home in the league, which is good in a sense, but we would have to question what is happening on the other side of things.”

Looking at the Intermediate championship, McCaffrey believes all the teams involved will have belief they can do well in it.

“It’s unique. I know a lot of other counties have went down this road, but it is the first time we have in Fermanagh and I think every team will fancy themselves of giving it a rattle.

“There is no chance of going out on the first game. If you do lose, you can regroup. Like every other team, we will look to give it a rattle and see how we get on,” he said.