Even before a ball is kicked in this weekend’s Fermanagh SFC opening round, the big bull elephant in the room is whether Ryan, Conall and Garvan Jones will be lining out for Derrygonnelly Harps in their home clash with Devenish at 3pm on Sunday.

Speculation has been mounting after the three powerful brothers did not tog out in the SFL final against Enniskillen which the Harps lost a few weeks ago.

But if they are not on board, then it would be a major blow to the Harps as Ryan Jones has been their captain and spiritual leader while all three have played senior county football with the county.

And no doubt, all Gaels in the county would like to see the talented trio in action.

However, the Harps also have powerful figures like Michael Jones, Shane and Stephen McGullion, Leigh Jones and Aaron Jones if they are absent.

They have youthful figures like Rian McGovern, and Rory Joe Duffy while the McKenna’s are experienced performers.

And they are a formidable force and will still have strong ambitions of retaining their title regardless of their line-out.

Meanwhile, Enniskillen Gaels have been the form team this year and winning the League title has given them some real momentum going into the championship.

And they would be even hotter favourites if the three Jones brothers were not available.

The Gaels also have last year’s disappointing run as motivation but have a full deck with the likes of Ross Bogue, Jonny Cassidy, Brandon Horan, Conor Love, Callum Jones and Richie O’Callaghan and are probably favourites to regain a title the last held in 2022.

Erne Gaels have been in and lost the last two county finals on the trot and have gone for broke by bringing in the high-powered management team of Declan Bonner and Paul Brennan from Donegal.

They have been dogged with injuries, but Bonner expects to be playing at full strength for the championship.

Ultan Kelm, Ryan Lyons, Aogan Kelm, Brian Mullin, Tommy McCaffrey, Shane Rooney and Jack and Dan McCann are top performers.

There is also a sense that it is do or die for them this year.

Kinawley could be classed as being in the top four with Tomas and Ruairi Corrigan driving forces with their father Dominic Corrigan at the helm.

They have been at the top table for quite a while and can be a handful for any club on their day.

Elsewhere, Devenish will be minus the inspirational Barry Mulrone who will be a huge loss and Lanty Feely is injured.

For a small club, Mulrone is a huge loss, but Devenish have always thrived in adversity and are very good at getting the very best out of what they have and that pride stems from their all-conquering sides of the 1960s and 1980s.

But they could have a battle to stay in senior football. Last year’s Intermediate champions Teemore have just taken the SFL Division Two title and have a great championship tradition.

Ronan McCaffrey, Eoin and Cian McManus are all key figures in a team that will relish the challenge of taking ‘tae’ with the big boys.

They could have a battle to survive in the senior championship as well.

But, like Devenish, the Shamrocks have always grown taller in the heat of battle.

Mercurial Belnaleck have been snapping at the heels of the top clubs for a few seasons now.

Absentees and injuries ensured a slow start to the League-but Daniel Kille’s men came good at the business end.

And, on paper, they have a formidable outfit with Che and Lee Cullen as powerful figures along with the towering and accurate Darragh McGurn, Kane Connors and Bryan Owens to power their efforts.

Finally, for many Ederney could be the dark horses in this competition.

Conor McGee is a big loss but the expected return of Sean Cassidy is a huge boost to their efforts and Paul and Declan McCusker are still huge figures while Shaun McCarron, Shay Deazley and Lughaidh Donnelly are promising players.

They could spring a few shocks.