Fermanagh forward Conor Love is prepared for another “tough battle” when they face Kildare in Sunday’s Tailteann Cup semi-final at Croke Park (16:00 BST).
The Ernesiders reached the last four of the competition for the very first time by beating Sligo at Brewster Park last weekend.
They now face a stiff test from the ‘Lilywhites’ who have spent the majority of their time competing at the top end of the National Leagues and battling for the Sam Maguire Cup.
The two most recent winners of the Tailteann Cup in Meath and Down have more than held their own in the All-Ireland Championship this year.
The Royals have already secured direct passage to the last eight while Down are the kick of a ball away from joining them.
That same Down side many will feel were lucky to get past Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship and Love is hoping his side can replicate their success.
“It’ll be another tough battle for us, I suppose Kildare have definitely been there more recently than us at the top table, so it’s more of a stepping stone for them, but we’re looking at the likes of Down and Meath in the past couple of years and hoping to emulate them,” Love told BBC Sport NI.
“Down have really shown the way for teams like ourselves. We were a kick away, but a kick away is a big kick in these games, so if we just followed along their path, I think we’d be more than happy.
“I don’t think easy as winning it [Tailteann Cup] and getting to where Down and Meath are at the minute, but it’s definitely a great place to start. I think that’s the great thing about the Tailteann Cup.
“There’s been critics, but I think the the proof’s in the pudding. Meath have ended up beating Dublin and Kerry this year and a couple of years ago they were playing teams like us in the league. So, it’s something we’re looking forward to hopefully emulating.”
Days out in Croke Park are not a regular occurrence for the people of County Fermanagh but this Sunday will mark a second appearance at GAA headquarters this summer.
The north Dublin venue was selected as the neutral ground for their group win over Wexford, a game in which the Enniskillen Gaels man starred in by kicking nine points, but Love was quick to allude to a greater significance.
“It was more a monkey off the back for Fermanagh. It was 2004 the last time we got a win in Croke Park, which is massive,” he added.
“We’ll take it, even if it was a group game. Less of a meaning maybe, but we 100% needed that. That’s a couple of weeks ago, so the lads know what we need to do.
“It’s great to see the crowds we’ve been getting the last couple of games, so hopefully it continues, but it can’t hurt going back to Croke Park a number of times.”
