Leitrim ace O'Rourke "can't wait" for Croker experience

March 21, 2019

Leitrim's Ryan O'Rourke in action against Monaghan. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Leitrim forward Ryan O’Rourke says he’s relishing the opportunity to play at Croke Park.

Terry Hyland’s side will make their county’s first visit to headquarters since 2006 when they take on Derry in the Division 4 final on March 30th.  

O’Rourke has been a key factor in the team’s long-awaited promotion to the third tier, having shot 3-18 to date in the first six rounds and he’ll hope to continue that fine form when the Connacht minnows visit the capital.

“The whole county is talking about it. It's going to be brilliant,” O’Rourke told Sky Sports. “There'll be a big crowd from Leitrim there, coming from New York, London and all over.

“It's been 13 years since Leitrim have been there. So I can't wait, but at the same time we want to win the game so we'll just be focusing on the O'Neill's ball in the middle of it.

"I'm 21. We feel lucky when you see the likes of Emlyn Mulligan, who has been the talisman for years, saying that (he never played in Croke Park).

"Not many Leitrim people get to play there. So hopefully it won't be our last time either."

Join the hoganstand.com match tracker on Sunday afternoon for live coverage of the final round of the football leagues, plus the hurling league semi-finals at Nowlan Park.


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