Louth boss Peter Fitzpatrick has revealed how he turned down a chance to talk to the referee whose shocking blunder denied the Wee County their first Leinster football title in 53 years.

A third party rang Fitzpatrick on Sunday to ask him would he speak with Tyrone official Martin Sludden this week, but after initially agreeing, he changed his mind.

"I got a phone call last Friday from a man and he asked me would I take a call from the referee and I said I would," he told the Irish Daily Star.

"The referee rang me last Monday, I missed the call, he left a message and asked me to give him a ring back. I thought about it, but I just let it go."

'Fitzer', whose Louth team return to Croke Park tomorrow for a meeting with Dublin, continues to be haunted by Meath forward Joe Sheridan's last-gasp illegal goal.

"I wake up every morning and the feeling I have every day I wouldn't wish on anyone," he said.

"I thought we did well on the day, I thought we were worthy winners and it was snatched away from us at the last second. It leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth, but you have to close the book and try to move on. Every morning I wake up and I hope that feeling goes away.

"Two weeks later, it still hasn't gone away. But we have a big game on Saturday and all we can do is focus on that." Tweet

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