PREVIEW: Derry and Fermanagh gear up for crucial TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship clash

Fermanagh v Derry; Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 8pm

FERMANAGH’S victory over hosts Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park last Sunday has made life interesting in Group A of the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship.

With all four group games now played, and despite a first defeat of the All-Ireland series, Carlow are sitting on top of the pile and in a very healthy position with nine points from the twelve that were on offer, and a scoring difference of +24.

Carlow are primed to make it through to fourth successive All-Ireland semi-final and if Fermanagh win this rearranged fixture against Derry, it’ll be Carlow and Fermanagh guaranteed of last four spots.

Fermanagh are on six points, three behind Carlow, and will now target top position in Group A, with two round-robin fixtures remaining.

Fermanagh entertain Derry at Brewster Park, Enniskillen, on Wednesday before finishing the group phase with a home tie against London in Killeeshil next Sunday.

Two wins would take Fermanagh to 12 points and three clear of Carlow, but Derry still harbour hopes of making a semi-final.

The Oak Leafers will likely have to win their last two games, including the visit to Fermanagh, to stand a chance, however.

Ahead of Wednesday’s key tie, Derry are on three points, with victory over London followed by a loss to Carlow.

Derry will move level on points with Fermanagh if they make the trip to Brewster Park a winning one, and their scoring difference is currently better (+8 compared to Fermanagh’s +7).

Fermanagh won well when the sides met in the Ulster Final in May and Derry will need huge improvement if they’re to compete with the Erne County.

Fermanagh will fancy their chances on home soil and a win will take them level with Carlow at the head of affairs, and into the last four along with the current table-toppers.

Derry: E Conway; H Mullan, A McGough, J Corr (capt.); B Donnelly, C McGurk, S Hargan; C O’Kane, L Casey; Erin Doherty, D McKeever, A Martin; Emma Doherty, C Donnelly, L McGonagle.