By Orla Bannon

Eoin Donnelly would not be human if he wasn't thinking what it would be like to achieve immortality.

If his team can overcome an explosive Donegal attack at Clones on Sunday, he will become the first Fermanagh man to lift the Anglo Celt Cup.

Given that Ulster final appearances tend to be a once-in-a-career opportunity for Fermanagh players, the need to grasp this chance to make history could overwhelm them. But the captain doesn't think so.

“It hasn't happened yet so, yes, whoever does it the first will be remembered," said Donnelly.

“I hope it's us.

“I don't know what it will mean or what will happen afterwards, but if we win on Sunday whatever comes after that, it'll come.”

Fermanagh and Wicklow are the only counties who haven't won a provincial SFC title.

Sunday will be only their sixth final, a first since 2008, and Donnelly expects them to embrace rather than fear the occasion.

“For most players, they don't know if it will come around again but I think that is even more of a reason to be motivated and not let it pass you by.

“It's a different story if you're very young and it's happened in your first year, but a lot of us have been playing for a good number of years and haven't got there so it's more of a reason to make sure we do get over the line.”

The age profile of the Erne squad is good and at 30, Donnelly leads an experienced squad which is probably at the peak of its powers.

They had a summer of fun under Pete McGrath in 2016 to reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals and for this current generation, now a first Ulster final beckons.

The players got to enjoy the night of their semi-final win over Monaghan with family, friends and fans, stopping first in Omagh, then Dromore (the home of assistant manager and Tyrone All-Ireland winner Ryan McMenamin) before the party moved on to Enniskillen.

It was nothing compared to the weeks of celebration that would inevitably follow an historic Ulster title, but even the buzz of anticipation in the county is something to be savoured and enjoyed.

“I haven't had the build-up to an Ulster final before so I don't know what normal motivation is to win your first one or your tenth one," said Donnelly.

“It is what it is. It's going to be a big day.

“I'm glad Fermanagh's involved as a Fermanagh man. As a supporter I'd be happy to be there supporting Fermanagh and as a player we know we have a massive opportunity.”

Donnelly's booming injury-time fisted goal against Monaghan is what gave Fermanagh this massive opportunity, and it's a goal he'll be remembered for.

However, he has no interest in being Fermanagh's match-winner again this weekend, because he'd like to be remembered for something bigger and better.

“I'd be quite happy for it to be forgotten about if on Ulster final day somebody else is the hero.

“I'd sleep easy after that.

“I remember being there in '08 as a supporter and thinking it was fantastic for Fermanagh to get there and thinking it was going to happen more often but it hasn't happened.

“I wish we had been there more.

“I don't know when it will happen again but for me, on that side of things, it just makes me more determined to make sure we get over the line.”