Today’s PREVIEWS

Fermanagh SFC final Derrygonnelly Harps v Ederney, Brewster Park, 3.30

THE challenge facing Ederney is easily painted in numbers.

Their last county success was half a century ago while they are facing a Derrygonnelly Harps team which is chasing a fourth county title in a row.

Not only that, but there is substance to the argument that this is the strongest club outfit in the county since Enniskillen Gaels rattled off six in a row (1998-2003). That claim is underpinned by last year’s near miss in which the Gaels came within a replay of reaching the Ulster final.

Even more impressive is the stat which shows that they have gone through this entire season unbeaten – a run which included 18 league games, many of which were played without the availability of their county players.

And if the numbers were not enough, then the champions’ attitude is the deal-sealer.

‘We see ourselves as a very ambitious group. You don’t win three championships in a row otherwise. We’ve no problem motivating ourselves and we’re exactly where we want to be,’ insisted their county star Ryan Jones this week.

Ederney will put their best foot forward, and they will be helped by the McCuskers, Derek and Paul, Chris Snow and former AllStar Martin McGrath.

Even so, the chasm in class will not be bridged.

Derrygonnelly Harps

Verdict: Derry SHC final Banagher v Slaughtneil, Owenbeg, 3.30pm

This is the first of two major games inside four days for Slaughtneil –the footballers meet Coleraine in a mid-week football quarter-final replay – and the pressure could be telling as they are missing Brendan Rogers and Gerald Bradley due to injuries as they go in search of a sixth title in a row.

Still the 10-point buffer they held over Banagher in the past two finals should be sufficient to ward off a surprise.

Slaughtneil.

Verdict: Down SHC final Ballycran v Portaferry Ballycran, 3pm

LITTLE to choose between this pair but Ballycran have the double edge of home advantage and the confidence of having already beaten Portaferry in the roundrobin stage. They look good for their first title since 2015.

Ballycran

Verdict: Longford SHC final Clonguish Gaels v Wolfe Tones, Pearse Park, 12.30pm

WHEN these teams met in the final two years ago Wolfe Tones had 13 points to spare, which suggests their march to a sixth title in a row will not be halted.

Wolfe Tones Verdict:

Louth SHC final Knockbridge v St Fechins, Dunleer, 2.00 pm

ST FECHINS had 14 points to spare when these teams last met in the final which means they are well placed to win a third county title in four years.

St Fechins Verdict: