New Fermanagh boss Peter Canavan admits his players have a lot of catching up to do.

The last inter-county football manager to be appointed for the 2012 season (that's not counting Kilkenny who are still seeking a replacement for Dick Mullins), the Tyrone legend is warning supporters not to expect big things in the short term given that Fermanagh are well behind other counties with their preparations.

"I was encouraged by the attitude of many of the players at the trials that they have the energy and appetite to work hard and succeed," he said in the Irish News ahead of Sunday's McKenna Cup opener against Antrim.

"But I wouldn't be expecting too much from them right now because a lot of them are coming back in not ideal condition and have a lot of work to do to get up to inter-county level. Each of the three teams we face in the McKenna Cup (Antrim, Queen's University and Tyrone) will have considerably more work done than ourselves.

"I know from speaking to a few of the Antrim boys they have been very impressed with Andy Ward (their new strength and conditioning coach) and they've all bought into his fitness regime and that they will be fitter and stronger.

"Mickey Harte will have his side fit and Queen's have been training for a number of months now and got a number of games under their belt in the Ryan Cup." Tweet

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