Owens has only recently recovered from a heart complaint but had been particularly keen to enjoy some game-time against the Oak Leaf county.

When manager Malachy O'Rourke ushered the Teemore Shamrocks clubman into the action midway though the second-half, though, he never dreamt that the 26-year-old Allstar full-back would have such an impact - and at full-forward too!

"There's no doubt about it, Barry's goal with what was his first touch was a defining moment in the game and we are certainly grateful for that. But he had only been involved in limited training prior to the game and felt weak afterwards. We won't be risking him in our starting line-up for the final but of course he will be on the bench again," says O'Rourke.

Owens admitted after the game that his preparation had consisted of " three half-hours of club football" but expressed the hope that he would be even stronger by the time the final comes round.

It's also unlikely that Fermanagh will have Shane McCabe on from the outset, simply because of the huge influence he has wielded after coming in as a substitute against both Monaghan and Derry to date in the championship.

"Shane has made a big contribution to our run into the final. We won't be confirming our line-up for the game until next week so certain options remain open to us," adds manager O'Rourke.

But McCabe's artistic touches and clever probing, having helped to steer Fermanagh safely home to date, are likely to be best employed again from the bench.

Hugh Brady missed the game against Derry when the extremely versatile Shane McDermott was drafted in at the eleventh hour to fill the problematic full-back berth but is expected to be back in the frame for the final.

Brady played against Monaghan but McDermott, who was captain of Fermanagh when they reached the concluding stages of the All Ireland Championship in 2004 where they were beaten by Mayo after a replay, is a vastly experienced player who is also now pushing for a place in the Ulster final starting line-up.

"Obviously there is competition for places but that's the way we want it. It's twenty-six years since Fermanagh were last in the Ulster final and everyone understandably wants to get a slice of the action this time round," says manager O'Rourke.

Armagh, meanwhile, will host their Ulster Final media get-together in the City Hotel today when manager Peter McDonnell will give an insight into his team's build-up to the match.

Armagh will be going for their seventh Ulster crown in ten years but this is the first time for McDonnell to be in charge.

"I'm looking forward to the final as any manager in my position would be," says McDonnell.

"I am delighted with the hunger and the commitment that the Armagh team have been showing so far and we are currently working very hard in training.

"Obviously we have room for improvement on our recent displays but that is what drives us on. Fermanagh have made great progress under my old college colleague Malachy O'Rourke and that does not surprise me in the least. They will be very fired up for glory, of that I am sure."