Fermanagh senior hurlers may have had a most convincing 1-26 to 1-05 victory over a slightly weakened Leitrim in their opening NHL Division Three B fixture in Ballinamore but team coach Daithi Hand was not getting carried away with the result despite the most healthy margin of victory.

A rejuvenated John Duffy and the gifted Luca McCusker led the scoring stakes as the Erne County romped to the easiest of wins.

“We were expecting a stiffer challenge but the young Murray lad from Round Towers in Clondalkin was injured and they were missing a few more lads as well so we will not be taking too much out of it.

“They were not at full- strength and it was a workmanlike display from us.

“I think the first game of the league is always a hard one to judge because there is such a build-up to it psychologically and the lads are just keen to get out playing and it can be a bit of a draining week.

“It was good to get out there.”

When told that his sharpshooters were in top form he said he was pleased with the level of accuracy but stressed that it was all about being well prepared.

“Look at Cavan beating Louth and Joe Baldwin has put in savage work building up this squad and has put a great system in place and hopefully he will be back in action soon.

“But the gap between the Lory Meagher teams and the Nicky Rackard teams is actually getting smaller every year.

“Fermanagh has a young side with a lot of hunger but there is a great back up there and a lot of that is down to Joe.

“He has put five years of life into it and deserves every credit.”

And the spread of talent is increasing as Hand was impressed with Odhran Johnston of Erne Gaels who was impressive at midfield for Fermanagh.

“There is a good spread of players in this squad and that is encouraging.

“John Duffy has put in a great pre-season and is in fine shape and Luca McCusker is also quite a talent and we have John Paul McGarry back to add experience and leadership.

“John has all the skills, first touch and savage strength as well.

“They all did pretty well and it was good to get the win but nothing is won in February.”

And while that is true Fermanagh should have their sights firmly set on winning Division 3B and taking another Lory Meagher Cup to add to the two gongs won in 2015 and 2021.

It is a young team with loads of skill and steel.

“In our league, we have Warwickshire, Lancashire, Longford and Leitrim.

“We are just taking it one game at a time.

“That is all our focus for now.”