The boys from the Lakeland County will take pole position at the parade and opening ceremony at the 2018 Super Cup NI.
Fermanagh will lead 52 teams from across the world through the streets of Coleraine and into the Coleraine Showgrounds on Sunday evening (July 22) for the opening ceremony.
Premier manager Scott Robinson said he is hopeful his side can continue to ‘lead the way’ as the action gets underway on Monday.
“The boys were delighted when they got the word that we were leading the parade and I’ve told them now to go on and lead by example on the pitch as well.
“They are all excited for kick off and this week has simply been about fine tuning and working on our defensive shape and set-pieces and keeping that connection going between the boys and making sure we are all ready to go come 5pm on Monday evening.”
The Fermanagh U17 side get their competition underway against Spartak Moscow and Robinson admitted two of his three sides will bring a level of uncertainty.
“We’ve done a bit of research and tried to second guess what way the Russians and the Brazilians will play. Going from the World Cup the Russians will be physical and no doubt they will have a bounce in their step.
“We are imagining the Brazilians, who we play on the Wednesday, will be technical good and a bit smaller, but I spotted their squad photo on the tournament Instagram and they look to have some big lads in their team.”
Sandwiched between those two games Fermanagh have an Ulster derby against Antrim to contend with and Robinson said it is an exciting trio of fixtures.
“At the end of the day it is 11 v 11 and if we work hard enough then I believe that we have the quality in the squad to surprise a few teams.
“Our togetherness and work ethic are two things we pride ourselves on. We will take it one game a time, be competitive, stay in the game as best we can and see where it takes us.”
Robinson has been a long standing supporter of the County Fermanagh teams and he admitted that he couldn’t turn down his home county when the opportunity arose.
“To be honest I discussed it a few years ago with the committee but the time wasn’t right. I’ve had a year out from football and when Robbie Walker (chairman) spoke to me about taking the job this year I said to myself that I couldn’t turn it down again.
“It is a really proud moment for me, but at the end of the day it is all about the boys. The coaches and the committee can do everything in their power off the pitch, but it comes down to those 18 boys during the week playing against world class opposition from across the world.”
Robinson’s Fermanagh panel includes a wide variety of players from a range of clubs across the Lakeland County and he said that the quality is there for everyone to see.
“We have some players in our squad who have played in the competition for four years in a row and some who have never played in it before.
“I said from day one at the trials that I wasn’t interested in their age, club or where they came from, all I was interested in was what they could do with their feet and there is some incredible quality in the squad and hopefully some of them catch the eye of the scouts at the games.”
In the Junior section, Ally Irwin’s U15 side will face opposition from Northern Ireland, England and Mexico.
The Fermanagh lads start their tournament with a game against Plymouth at Broughshane on Monday at noon. Day two will see them return to Broughshane to face defending champions Antrim and they conclude their group stage with a compelling clash against Chivas Guadalajara in Anderson Park.
Premier
Monday, July 23 – Fermanagh v Spartak Moscow – 5pm – The Warren, Portstewart
Tuesday, July 24 – Fermanagh v Antrim – 5pm – Broughshane
Wednesday, July 25 – Fermanagh v GO Audax – 5pm – Clough
Junior
Monday, July 23 – Fermanagh v Plymouth Argyle – 12pm – Broughshane
Tuesday, July 24 – Fermanagh v Antrim – 12pm – Broughshane
Wednesday, July 25 – Fermanagh v Chivas Guadalajara – 12pm – Anderson Park