Fitzpatrick forced to dig deep into Louth resources

GAELIC GAMES NEWS ROUND-UP:MEATH AGAINST Louth in Sunday's O'Byrne Cup quarter-final will be far from the most important match for either county this year, yet it's one they won't want to lose.

Even in the middle of January, the GAA season has that uncanny knack of throwing up a familiar rematch – Sunday’s game could be viewed as a sort of third instalment in the saga that began with Meath’s highly controversial victory in the 2010 Leinster final, and the infamous Joe Sheridan goal that denied Louth a first provincial title since 1957.

They’ve met again since – as Meath enjoyed a fairly convincing win in last summer’s All-Ireland first-round qualifier, 5-8 to 2-8 – although it’s possible that revenge will still be on the minds of some Louth supporters.

However, the reality for Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick is that Sunday’s game is all about realising where they’re at right now, for a variety of reasons.

It marks his first competitive game of 2012, given the bye Louth were afforded in the first round after Kilkenny’s withdrawal from the competition, and there’s also a long list of absentees that will force Fitzpatrick to look beyond his more familiar playing squad.

Among those set to miss out for Sunday’s game at Páirc Tailteann are goalkeepers Seán Connor and Neil Gallagher, defenders Eamonn McAuley, Declan Byrne, Aaron Hoey and Ger Hoey, midfielder Paddy Keenan, and forwards Mark Brennan and Shane Lennon.

“Seán Connor broke a bone in his foot and he’ll be gone for most of the season,” explained Fitzpatrick. “And Neil Gallagher is in Australia, so we’ve brought two new goalkeepers into the panel, Craig Martin, from St Martin’s who played for the county under-21s two years ago, and Duane Crosby from St Mary’s.

“Eamonn McAuley has had an operation on his back, Declan Byrne and Aaron Hoey have broken fingers, and Ger Hoey has back trouble. Paddy Keenan also has an ongoing knee problem, Mark Brennan has a groin injury, and Shane Lennon has groin, hamstring and back problems.”

Hardly an ideal scenario with the Allianz League now less than a month away – although there is some light on the horizon as Fitzpatrick now expects to have the services of former Armagh player Johnny Murtagh for the league, provided his county transfer request is cleared on time.

Murtagh also formerly played with Crossmaglen Rangers, yet recently transferred to Dublin outfit Parnells, and has since declared his interest in lining out for Louth in 2012.

Meath enjoyed a 1-13 to 1-10 win over Wexford in Sunday’s opening round, and should be a little closer to full strength for Sunday’s game.

David Gallagher looks set to continue in goal after his recent recall to the panel, and there could also be an appearance for 39-year-old Graham Geraghty.

Geraghty has already taken on a role as Meath selector for 2012 under manager Séamus McEnaney, yet still hopes to play some role on the field itself.

An Achilles tendon injury cut short his ambitions for 2011, yet he did appear as a substitute in a challenge match against Cavan earlier this month, and apparently still has the appetite for intercounty football, even at this time of year.

Elsewhere, Kerry look to have secured the services of defender Mike Moloney for 2012, after his return home from a year living in London. The 24-year-old from Killarney has started a graduate course at the University of Limerick, and looks set to feature in manager Jack O’Connor’s panel.

Kerry opted out of this year’s McGrath Cup, as O’Connor goes about something of a rebuilding process after the 2011 All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin.

Indeed, O’Connor fielded a mostly new defensive unit in a challenge game against Killarney’s Dr Crokes last weekend, with Marc and Tomás Ó Sé the only All-Ireland final defenders to retain their starting places.