St Tiernach's Park, Clones (3.30)
The graph of these counties' fortunes has been plotted in different directions since they last met at championship level three seasons ago. That day Peter Canavan inspired Tyrone - then en route to a second successive Ulster title - to a crushing win. The season ended on a down-note for Tyrone with the big defeat by Meath and since then, they have struggled to regain the form which made them the best team in the province. There have been some signs this year that the outlook has improved and that Peter Canavan is back to something approaching his best form.
After the nadir of '96, Fermanagh under Pat King have enjoyed a strong recovery including that winter's All-Ireland B title and a couple of good League campaigns. Championship success eluded them until last month despite very close calls with Cavan in the last two years - including a draw in 1997 when Cavan went on to win Ulster. The win over Monaghan set them up nicely for this match as Tyrone may be a little ring-rusty.
Team news
Fermanagh make a couple of changes to the side which defeated Monaghan four weeks ago. Paul Courtney comes into the team at right corner back for his debut with Tommy Callaghan moving over to the left and Michael Lilley losing out. Full forward Sean Quinn has failed a fitness test on a hamstring injury and is replaced by Stephen Maguire, a former regular until injury ruled him out.
Tyrone give debuts to three players, Paul McGurk at left corner back, Ciaran Gourley at left wing back and last year's minor captain Cormac McAnallen at centrefield. Peter Canavan is in the right corner with Matt McGleenan at full forward.
Key confrontation
There will be an interesting duel in the right corner of Tyrone's defence where veteran corner back Fay Devlin faces Shane King, son of the Fermanagh manager. King has been one of the most identifiable attacking talents in a forward line which has always looked dangerous, particularly come the summer, and he delivered on his potential against Monaghan scoring 2-2. However, much will depend on the ability of Fermanagh as underdogs to take what chances they create to keep the pressure on Tyrone. King will be crucial to that.
View from the camps
"I don't see this year as a breakthrough. We have made steady improvement over the last three years. We outplayed Cavan for much of the game last year and just didn't win a game we controlled - which happens sometimes. But all indications were that we had made progress."
- Pat King (Fermanagh manager).
"We've been watching and waiting. Everyone has a head start on us, particularly Fermanagh who have started well."
- Danny Ball (Tyrone manager).
Fermanagh: C McAdam; P Courtney, P McGuinness, T Callaghan; S Byrnes, T Collins, K Gallagher; P Brewster, L McBarron; R Johnson, T Brewster, D McGrath; Raymond Gallagher, S Maguire, S King.
Tyrone: F McConnell; F Devlin, C Lawn, P McGurk; Pascal Canavan, C Holmes, C Gourley; C McAnallen, G Cavlan; A Cush, E Gormley, C Loughran; M McGleenan, Peter Canavan.
Verdict: Tyrone.
