Sunday

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 3A

Fermanagh v Roscommon

Brewster Park, 3.30

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)

A first ever championship meeting between the sides, although they’ve been regular league bedfellows over the past few seasons without a whole lot to split them. Roscommon have more than likely moved on to greater things than Pete McGrath’s side can offer but unless and until they’re safely ensconced in August business, that defeat to Sligo will hang over them.

Fermanagh are one win away from a good summer and one defeat away from a bad one. Beating Antrim twice is the least they should be capable of, given that they had Monaghan back-pedalling until Ryan McCluskey got sent off. They are blessed with some phenomenal shooters from distance and a crack free-taker in Seán Quigley. They are also pretty adept at shutting down the opposition’s inside line - their one goal conceded in three games came from a fluffed kick-out.

But that was some impressive gut-checking from the Rossies in Breffni Park last week. Even allowing for the Cavan red card after half-time, to go up there and score 3-17 with four front-liners missing isn’t to be sniffed at. Senan Kilbride looks to be back in harness, which can only help their cause. They ought to have a kick or three to spare.

Verdict: Roscommon