Mickey Harte's side defeated Fermanagh in the NFL semi-finals

Fermanagh boss Dominic Corrigan has tipped Derry to beat National League Champions Tyrone in the mouthwatering Ulster football clash on 18 May.

Corrigan, whose Erneside outfit were beaten by Tyrone in the NFL semi-finals last month, fancies Mickey Moran's Derry to progress to an Ulster decider against All-Ireland champions Armagh.

"Very little has been said about Derry but while they are down in Division Two, they are still a class side," insisted the Fermanagh boss.

"They've got Anthony Tohill back which is a big plus for them and they've still got one of the best defences in Ulster.

"I think we're in for a surprise when they play on 18 May.

"We in Fermanagh would obviously be hoping that it's not the case but I feel Derry and Armagh could be the teams contesting the Ulster final on 13 July".

Corrigan has been pleased with the response of his players to the NFL semi-final defeat by Tyrone.

"We're looking forward to our opener against Donegal on 1 June.

Tyrone are proving harder to beat this year Mickey Moran

"After our defeat in the league semi-final, it was a case of back to the drawing board but we'll have had six weeks by the time we meet Donegal.

"We had a training camp in Spain after the Tyrone game which went very well.

"We know we have a major task on our hands to put away Donegal but we're looking forward to the match and if we can produce our best football, we'll be in with a great chance".

Not surprisingly, Derry boss Mickey Moran is not making similarly bold predictions about his team's chances of upsetting Tyrone.

"Tyrone seem very organised under Mickey Harte and I think they are proving harder to beat this year," said Moran.

"They got off to a bit of a shaky start in the league when they were without their Errigal Ciaran players but they recovered well and took some remarkable scalps.

"They would be the form team but I wouldn't rule out Armagh as they are a big strong physical team and they won't go down easily".

The ever-cautious Moran is reluctant to rule any of the nine contenders out of the Ulster equation.

Donegal regrouped

"Fermanagh reached the semi-finals of the league and Down are regrouping well under Paddy O'Rourke who is a very shrewd man.

"Monaghan have also made progress under Colm Coyle while Antrim can't be discounted.

"Donegal have nothing to lose after having a terrible league.

"By all accounts, they have regrouped well in the last few weeks and are applying themselves for the championship.

"Having had experience of Donegal, I know that if they get their full team together and are on song, they can beat anybody.

"The same applies to Cavan," concluded Moran.