For the 2004 All Star is one of the county's living legends and better still, he lined out for Ederney against Belleek in the semi-final.

Ederney hit two goals in the space of a minute and went a point up ten minutes into the second half, but Erne Gaels regrouped and won the game fairly comfortably.

In contrast, Derrygonnelly were in control throughout their tie against Belnaleck and were almost caught by a late Leckers rally.

But while they were worthy winners and created plenty of chances, the Harps have a recurring wide problem.

"We played Belleek and we saw their strengths." said McGrath.

"They have pace and accuracy and they are the bookies favourites and they are going for three-in-row and it is easy to see why they are going for three-in-a-row.

"And I think they are possibly a shade better than when we played them last year and we should have won that one." he said.

McGrath added: "Ryan Lyons makes them trick and the pace of the Kelms is hard to stop.

"They are very athletic and you can put Tommy McCaffrey in that category as well and they are also physically strong."
On Derrygonnelly he said:

"They have youth and exuberance as well as four men who are going for their eighth county title so that is a very good mix.

"They have hung in-in games and Ronan McGovern is turning into a great spearhead up front.

"The McGullions, Leigh Jones and Gary McKenna still know how to win championships which is a great asset.

"Both are in the final for a reason."

But is there a weakness in the Erne Gaels full back-line after McGrath's Ederney rammed in three goals, two in a minute in the county semi-final.?

"Two of our goals were well worked and the third came from a kick out.

"But that could be to their benefit as they will be taking steps and it is something they will have to look at say we will have to tighten up there.

"The goals kept us in the game and we do score goals so it was nothing new for us.

"But Belleek will have to tighten up and Derrygonnelly will target that perceived weakness."

Derrygonnelly have savage pace and will try and run against Erne Gaels who are an older team.

"They may be older but they still have savage pace themselves in their forward line and with Oisin Kelm attacking from defence and scoring points quite often.

"I think Belleek are favourites but that will suit Derrygonnelly."

Derrygonnelly have come out second best to the Gaels in the county semi-final in 2024 and after a replay in the final last year.

"There will be a bit of hurt in the Harps and they will know they are going in as underdogs and especially after that heavy defeat by Erne Gaels in the Group stages.

"So it is well set up for Derrygonnelly and they have loads of motivation."

So what was the thing that most impressed him about Erne Gaels?

"The accuracy, they are patient and take their scores.

"Last year we could have beaten them but this year they were better and they know how to grind out a win in the last ten minutes.

"Once they get a run on you, they just take advantage and are very clinical."

Asked the same question about Derrygonnelly, he laughed.

"I suppose you could say something similar.

"They hung in against Enniskillen and they were always better than Belnaleck.

"They kicked a lot of wides in that game but they won't get away with that against Belleek and they will have to be on top of that.

"But it will be an interesting final, but I just think Belleek are that wee bit stronger."