A four-time Intermediate Championship winner as a player, Doherty is now aiming to collect a fifth medal from the sideline as Kinawley bid to secure an immediate return to senior football.

Relegation from the senior ranks in 2025, following a 1-21 to 1-13 defeat to Enniskillen Gaels in a championship play-off, was a major disappointment. However, Doherty believes his side has embraced the challenge of rebuilding and is relishing Saturday evening’s final.

“We understand we’re going in as underdogs and everyone knows the quality Devenish have,” he said.

“They’re a top Division One team. They’re good on the ball, brilliantly organised and very strong defensively. It’s not going to be a simple task, but we need everyone to stand up and be counted.”

Kinawley enjoyed an impressive group campaign, opening with a 2-19 to 3-10 victory over Tempo before edging St Patrick’s, Donagh, 0-11 to 0-10. Those results secured top spot in Group B before the final group game against Aghadrumsee.

Doherty admitted the four-week break between the group stages and the semi-final proved challenging.

“You can play all the challenge games and in-house matches you want, but nothing replicates championship football,” he said.

“To be fair, it probably worked against us. We weren’t as sharp from the start against Derrylin and that showed in the first half.

“Sharpness comes from competitive matches. It took us a little longer than normal to get into the game and be effective on the ball.”

Kinawley eventually overcame Derrylin after a dramatic contest that required extra time.

At one stage, Derrylin looked in control after opening up a four-point lead, but Kinawley fought back through the influence of Tiarnán McKenna, brothers Dara and Tomás Cathcart, and substitute Ruairi Corrigan.

“Derrylin really put it up to us and I think that game will bring us on,” said Doherty.

“They’re a good team, well organised and they have some excellent players.

“There were times when I felt we could lose it, but I was proud of the players. They showed real resilience, refused to give up and demonstrated tremendous character in extra time to get over the line.”

Doherty knows the challenge posed by Devenish will be even greater.

“Devenish have strengths all over the field,” he said.

“Cian O’Brien is flying, Jamie Flanagan is a fantastic footballer, Jarlath O’Brien is having an excellent season and they’re very solid around the middle of the field.

“They’re scoring heavily, so we’ll need a plan for that. But while we’ll respect their strengths, we also have to focus on our own game.”

For the 42-year-old, management brings very different pressures to playing, although he admits there are moments when he wishes he could still pull on the jersey.

“I’m fortunate that coaching is a big part of my day job and I really enjoy it,” he said.

“Against Derrylin, there were moments when I wished I was still playing so I could try to influence things directly.

“But I’m really enjoying management. The Kinawley lads are brilliant to work with and they bring great energy to training.

“We’re really looking forward to Saturday. We know exactly what lies ahead, but it’s a challenge everyone is excited about.”