Fermanagh hopes hit by gathering of G8

The arrival of Barack Obama and the G8 world leaders to Enniskillen is threatening to rob Fermanagh of a home tie in the Ulster SFC.

Dignitaries will be arriving in the Erne county for the start of the two-day G8 summit at the Lough Erne Resort on Sunday, June 16 — the same day Fermanagh start their Ulster championship campaign.

If Armagh beat Cavan in the preliminary round tie on May 19, then Fermanagh will be travelling to the Athletic Grounds for their quarter-final tie.

However, a Cavan victory will create a major headache for the Ulster Council as Fermanagh are due to host the Breffni county in Brewster Park.

Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy last night acknowledged the potential for a major change to the fixture schedule and hinted the only alternative would be a change of venue — as TV commitments with RTÉ means the date cannot be changed.

“We’re aware of the situation but our council took a decision to make no final determination on the outcome until after the Cavan v Armagh game on May 19,” he said.

“We have to wait until that match is played but we know the full ramifications of what is taking place in Enniskillen.”

Cavan officials, meanwhile, have indicated they would be happy to stage the tie and surrender home advantage to Fermanagh the next time the counties meet.