Holidays are off for Wee County Injured players given a chance
GAA
Wednesday March 17 2010
LOUTH will have to put the St Patrick's Day festivities on hold as manager Peter Fitzpatrick has scheduled extra training sessions this week – starting on the national holiday.
He wants to give injured players every chance to make themselves available for next Sunday's visit of Roscommon to Drogheda (2.30pm) after last weekend's rousing victory over Fermanagh in Brewster Park placed the Wee County firmly in the picture for promotion from Division 3.
Paddy Keenan (hamstring), Ray Finnegan (ankle) and Sean O'Neill (hamstring) all retired during the first half in Enniskillen, and they, along with Ronan Carroll (back) and Colm Judge (shoulder), sat out training on Monday night.
'We will train in Drogheda on Wednesday morning, in Darver on Thursday and in Haggardstown the following night,' the Louth boss told the Drogheda Independent yesterday.
' This is a very serious game on Sunday, and I want to give everyone a chance to prove their fitness.'
He couldn't say which of the injured quintet was most likely to pull through – Carroll and Judge are both long-term casualties – but as regards the possible starting fifteen he said: ' The team that finished against Fermanagh, that's they way it's looking at the moment.'
There was certainly a lot to like about the way Louth adapted to the enforced reshuffle last Sunday, with Derek Crilly and Brian White impressing when asked to form a new midfield partnership.
'I can't complain with the squad I have. It's a great young panel,' the manager enthused
While Roscommon sit at the foot of the table, pointless after four games, Fitzpatrick is taking nothing for granted, pointing out the Connacht county has a strong DCU contingent.
A win on Sunday would set the Reds up nicely for their remaining two fixtures, both away from home, including table-toppers Antrim in the penultimate round in Casement Park. Louth complete their programme against Offaly.
'If we can win next Sunday it will go a long way towards getting us to Division 2,' Fitzpatrick believes.
- Francis
