Emerging Irvinestown have suffered only one defeat all season - to Teemore in the Division Two league final.

Otherwise, they are on a real roll as their minors clinched their fourth Fermanagh league title on the trot with the outstanding Mattie McDermott, Barry Goodwin and Oisin Swift looking likely to start for Saturday’s big showdown with Belcoo in the Intermediate Championship semi-final in Lisnaskea.

And this will be a big test for Shane McDermott’s youthful side as opponents Belcoo are by now a seasoned Division One side and have two fine recent wins to boost their chances.

But Irvinestown have been pretty impressive as well.

Manager McDermott is pleased with their progress but knows that Belcoo will present a big challenge.

“We played Lisnaskea and drew with them and it was tight affair and then we have beaten Donagh, Derrylin and most recently Roslea but who were admittedly short a few key players.

“Our lads did play pretty well.

“It has been steady progress for us so far and our minors are really driving us on and there is a good mix of experience and youth.

“We have a fair bit of strength in depth with the minors and it has added a freshness to the squad.”

McDermott added: “These young lads are used to winning and hopefully they will continue in that vein and that is a good attitude, and we have only lost once to Teemore and we have also been grinding out a few results.

“And I am very happy with the team’s never-say-die attitude.”

When asked about Belcoo and where their main threats will come from, he said: “They are a great second-half team and they too are good at grinding out results and they managed to stay up in Division One which is quite a feat and they are very good at coming back.

“They have put in two good results in beating Tempo and Roslea which should give them considerable confidence for Saturday.

“They will be quite formidable and are a very experienced and they are used to playing at Division One level, so this is quite a step up for us.”

McDermott added: “Ciarán Flaherty leads a very good spine in their team and they also have Lawrence McKeown and players like Eoin Shiels to boost their efforts.

“But we have had a very narrow focus as it was all on Roslea and we will now turn our attention to Belcoo for the weekend.”

However, the youthful surge is a big plus to McDermott but there is also a solid core of experienced players who have alternated between Division One and Two.

“It would be nice to stay in Division One and to get into the senior championship.

“But Belcoo will be well geared for this one so we know what we are facing.”