There is a big performance in Fermanagh - McGurn
McGurn feels last year's defeat by Down was one that got away
- Published
With eight minutes to go in last year's Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final, it seemed Fermanagh were on course to defy the odds against Down.
Leading by seven, it appeared the Ernesiders were set to move into a semi-final meeting with Donegal when it all unravelled.
Daniel Guinness kicked a two-pointer and then found the net for Conor Laverty's side and after a pair of frees from Pat Havern tied it up, a Ryan McEvoy goal would break Fermanagh hearts.
They go into this Saturday's quarter-final against Armagh at Brewster Park [17:30 BST] as outsiders once again and while expectations outside of the camp are not overly high, full-forward Darragh McGurn feels they can draw inspiration from last year's performance against the Mournemen.
"We should have had that game home and hosed with 10 minutes to go and didn't get over the line," the 27-year-old told BBC Sport NI.
"We know there are big performances in us and we have quality with a few players to come back, so we're ready to put in a big performance."
Last year, Fermanagh entered the championship after a league campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on promotion from Division Three.
The background is much different this time around as one win from their seven games means they will ply their trade in the fourth division next year.
Going up against 2024 All-Ireland champions Armagh this week, a side that are firmly in the top tier, ensures their season "doesn't get any easier" but McGurn feels there are some caveats.
Undoubtedly, the quality of opposition in the league was high this year, evidenced by Westmeath - a team that missed out on promotion - stunning Meath in a Leinster quarter-final last weekend.
Of course, finishing bottom of the pile is not where McGurn and his Fermanagh team-mates "expected to be" but Declan Bonner's side will dust themselves off for Saturday's shot at springing the latest surprise in this year's provincial championships.
"At the start of the year, the goal was promotion but we got off to a bad start, picked up a few defeats early and it was hard to regain momentum," he reflects.
"The quality in Division Three this year was the highest I've ever seen, no easy games at all, but it's still disappointing to be going into Division Four.
"We'll be getting players back now and are looking for a big response now going into the championship."
