Football qualifiers beckon for three Ulster counties

Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath took the team to the All-Ireland quarter-finals last year through the back-door route

Antrim, Fermanagh and Down begin their All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier campaigns on Saturday hoping to build a winning momentum through the back door.

Fermanagh reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals last year after a good run in the qualifiers and start with an away clash against Wexford.

Antrim, who lost to Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship, are at home to Limerick in Corrigan Park.

Down, blitzed by 19 points by Monaghan, are at home to Longford in Pairc Esler.

Marc Reid starts in goals for the Mourne county while ace free-taker Donal O'Hare is restored to the first fifteen. Ryan Mallon is also drafted into the starting line-up.

Midfielder Niall McKeever is expected to be fit for Antrim after picking up a quad muscle injury in the warm-up against Fermanagh.

Injury-free Fermanagh should name an unchanged team for the long trip to Wexford.

Down (v Wexford): M Reid; C McGovern, G McGovern, D O'Hagan; D McKibben, A Carr, D O'Hanlon; P Turley, K McKernan; R Mallon, M Poland, J Murphy; C Maginn, D O'Hare, B O'Hagan