Momentum is very much on Fermanagh's side heading into today's clash against Westmeath at Kingspan Breffni Park.

The Ernesiders were the talk of the championship following their Round 3A exploits against Roscommon and manager Pete McGrath enjoys the luxury of being able to name an unchanged team as key forward Tomas Corrigan has recovered from a hamstring injury.

In contrast, Westmeath will line out minus the services of captain Ger Egan and the leader of their attack, John Heslin, due to heel and groin injuries respectively.

It's far from an ideal situation as Tom Cribbin and his backroom team look to pick up the pieces following their 0-6 to 2-13 Leinster SFC final hammering at the hands of Dublin.

Kieran Gavin, John Connellan and Denis Glennon have been drafted into the Lake County's starting 15 in place of David Lynch, Egan and Heslin.

"You only need to look at their comeback in the last qualifier against Roscommon, who were promoted to Division One in the league early in the year, to see what Fermanagh are capable of," Cribbin told the Westmeath Examiner.

"In fact, they've shown great resolve in their last two games, coming back from four or five points behind, so we know there's a formidable challenge ahead of us on Saturday.

"The teams are on probably on a par and it might come down to who has the greater mental toughness, and I have to say our lads are in a good place in that regard after the championship we've had to date."

Two years ago, the Ernesiders got the better of Westmeath - 3-10 to 1-15 - in the qualifiers.

"We will be going to Breffni (Park) feeling we can win the game," midfielder Ryan Jones stated this week.

"That's the way we have approached every game this year and I suppose if you don't have that approach, is there any real point in turning up?

"You've got to have confidence in yourself that you can go on and win this match."

The in-form Sean Quigley can fire the Ernesiders into the last eight of the championship.

Verdict - Fermanagh.

Westmeath team: Darren Quinn; Kevin Maguire, Kieran Gavin, Frank Boyle; Killian Daly, Paddy Holloway, James Dolan; Denis Corroon, Paul Sharry; John Gilligan, Ray Connellan, Kieran Martin; John Connellan, Denis Glennon, Shane Dempsey.

Fermanagh team: Thomas Treacy; Michael Jones, Tiernan Daly, Niall Cassidy; Martin O'Brien, Ryan McCluskey, James McMahon; Eoin Donnelly, Richard O'Callaghan; Declan McCusker, Paul McCusker, Barry Mulrone; Tomas Corrigan, Sean Quigley, Ryan Jones.

Match details: Saturday; Kingspan Breffni Park; 5pm; extra-time playable.

Referee: Padraig Hughes.

Odds: Westmeath 6/4; Draw 15/2; Fermanagh 8/11

Tweet

Most Read Stories