Lisbellaw will go in as strong favourites in Sunday’s Fermanagh hurling final, the current champions go in search of an eighth Fermanagh senior hurling title in a row on Sunday at Brewster Park.
Action from last year’s hurling final when Lisbellaw comfortably defeated Lisnaskea.
Last year’s final between the two can only be classed as a miss match, the game played in Derrygonnelly saw Lisbellaw canter to a 6-22 to 2-5 victory.
Lisbellaw who currently sit bottom of the Armagh Hurling League Division One will go into the game as favourites, this will no doubt be nothing new to them.
The side will be backboned by Danny Teague, Fergus Bannon and Matthew Teague in defence while scoring duty will once again rest on the shoulders of Fermanagh trio, Ryan Bogue, JP McGarry and John Duffy.
Lisbellaw, who carry a number of injuries into the game mainly due to players playing for their clubs in last weekend’s football championship, will also be sweating over the fitness of their talisman, Wexford native Karl Kehoe.
Lisnaskea on the other hand will go into the game with little or no pressure on their shoulders as they go in search of their first Senior crown since 2006.
Since last summer’s defeat to Lisbellaw, Lisnaskea have seen a raft of new faces into the club mainly due to the demise of the Knocks hurling club.
Eoin Mahon and Oisin Boyle will be the main stays in defence for the Emmetts while up front Barry Smith, Shea Curran and Michael Fee will prove to be a handful for the Lisbellaw defence.
The side currently sit in second place in the Armagh Hurling League Division Two and have also took part in this year’s Cavan ’11 a-side’ league were they currently have won three out of three games.
Lisnaskea will have learned from last year’s final that Lisbellaw can’t be given any space or time, a good start by the Emmetts is a must but with the attacking options at Lisbellaw’s disposal it would take an almighty performance to dethrone the champions come Sunday evening.
Fermanagh SHC Final
Lisbellaw v Lisnaskea
Sunday @ Brewster Park @ 2.00pm
The Managers View
Brian Johnston (Lisbellaw)
Lisnaskea have put a lot of work in this year and I can definitely tell you the game on Sunday will be a lot tighter than last year’s scoreline. It was a freak result last year and we know we will be in for a serious battle come Sunday. We have the Ulster Senior club competition to look forward to but for now I want us to be Fermanagh champions once again.
Paul Smith (Lisnaskea)
We’re not going to be making up the numbers on Sunday that’s for sure. We have trained well and we know Lisbellaw will be an almighty test for us. We will give Lisbellaw the right respect that they deserve but we won’t fear them. Too many of this panel have not won a game in Fermanagh hurling and we want to put that right come Sunday, but it won’t be easy.
By admin Thu 22nd Aug
