When coming up against a familiar opponent, the smallest of advantages can make the biggest of differences.

Derrygonnelly and Erne Gaels are familiar foes when it comes to the business end of the Senior Championship and they will lock horns again this Sunday for a place in the Senior decider.

Derrygonnelly have been the Belleek side’s Achilles Heel, having bested them in their recent encounters in the championship, including last year’s final.

This year the Harps staged a stirring comeback to win in the final group game.

Derrygonnelly captain, Shane McGullion, knows this familiarity will bring an added bite to the game where the small margins could prove crucial.

“Both sides will know each other very well having played several times over the last number of years both in the group and knockout stages. Both sides will be looking at each other and trying to identify areas they can get an advantage.”

Derrygonnelly have had two weeks to prepare for the game having topped their group while Erne Gaels had to battle past Teemore in the quarter-final last weekend.

Preparation has been good according to McGullion with the extra week allowing players to get over injuries as they prepare for the showdown this Sunday.

The last group game showed there is little between the sides and it all depends who has learned the most from it.

“We can take a lot from the last game. We were pleased at our second-half keeping Belleek to a point and how we finished the game out by being able to get scores at the right time but on the other hand we conceded a lot in the first half.”

McGullion knows there is always room for improvement and he knows there will be more needed in the semi-final.

“After every game, you always have things that you need to improve on. Mainly our conversion rate wasn’t where we would like it to be and also in the first half we gave away some cheap scores by coughing up possession or not putting them under enough pressure so they are areas we will have to improve on.”

Does he think the late defeat will be extra motivation for Erne Gaels?

“It will be a very tough encounter again and there has been very little between the sides so we will be expecting the same again as we know the ability they have.

“Of course, the loss will give them extra motivation to get across the line and we will have to be ready for it.”

Derrygonnelly’s championship run has been without three of their most experienced players, the Jones brothers – Ryan, Conall and Garvan.

The trio opted out of the panel just before the Division One league final against Enniskillen.

Many would have thought this would have had a big impact on the Harps but McGullion and Co. are where they want to be at this stage of the season.

“We are exactly where we wanted to be at this stage.

“A few players have stepped in this year and are doing really well which shows our strength and depth so we are happy with how things have went so far.”