Fermanagh minors face Down this weekend in their final Ulster Championship fixture in Group A.

After losses to Donegal, Monaghan and Tyrone already, Fermanagh will compete in the Tier 3 All-Ireland competition no matter Saturday’s result.

However, manager Niall McElroy says his players are aiming to end the group on a high: “Preparations have been going well, there was a good bite in training this week, the lads are determined to try and finish the Ulster Championship well and they’re battling for places for the Down game and to get into the team for the first round of the Tier 3 All-Ireland, that’s adding extra intensity and we have a clean bit of health heading into the game and we’re looking forward to it.”

Down have picked up some impressive results this term and beat Donegal last weekend 3-09 to 1-06 in Newry, the same Donegal side that defeated Fermanagh 3-13 to 1-04 in Donagh at the start of the competition.

“We’ve had a look at it, it was a big win, that’s twice now they’ve beaten Donegal this year already so it shows how good a team that Down are,” McElroy said.

“They got goals on Saturday and they were a real threat going forward, and they're on their home ground this weekend with a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals with a win so they will be really motivated.”

The Erne county trailed by 11 points at halftime in their last game against Tyrone in Belcoo, with McElroy targeting a strong start at Páirc Esler.

“We need to be in contention at halftime, we haven’t put in a strong enough first-half performance yet in the Ulster Championship and that needs to change on Saturday if we have any chance,” he added.

“Goals against us have been costly and we’re going to try and ensure we don’t concede any on Saturday and if we do that it will leave us in good contention for the game.”