'Fitzer' can't wait to get started
December 30, 2009The Collon men, who had been so impressive in their Senior Final victory over Cooley Kickhams, went the way of most Louth clubs in recent years and failed to make any impression on the provincial championship.
For the new county manager, it underlined a fact of which he was already fully aware - that Louth club football is weak and is something he wants to see addressed.
"Everybody knows that club football in Louth is weak at the moment and having managed teams in Monaghan, Armagh and Meath the football there is tough and physical.
"My aim is to address that issue and the first thing I believe we need to do is to give players regular football and I don't believe that every player in the panel should be prevented from playing in the ACC or O'Donnell Cup games.
"The simple fact is that if somebody is not getting a game with the county team, then I see no reason why he should not be allowed to play with his club while still remaining part of the panel.
"It makes sense that everyone in a county panel should be getting football and hopefully the fixtures committee will meet with me and we can work something out, because the more games lads get, the better," he explained.
The new manager believes that preventing teams from getting football does little to serve the interests of the game at any level and can be counter-productive when it comes to improving standards.
"I know from being involved in club football that it is crazy not to have regular games. It is important for everyone to keep playing otherwise a lot of people are going to get frustrated and that does nothing to help the situation."
Peter points to the example of Tyrone's Mickey Harte who has a reputation for encouraging his squad to play with their clubs, and this has been achieved in tandem with ultimate All-Ireland glory.
There are other aspects of Harte's management style that Fitzpatrick will be hoping to bring to the Louth set-up, as he explains.
"I think Mickey Harte is a great man and he creates a real pride in the county jersey and I want to see that type of passion in the Louth jersey."
However, the new manager is long enough in football to know that it is not all about demanding from players as he knows that they must be looked after if they are going to respond.
"The most important people in a county set-up are the players and the bottom line is that you have to look after them. Just look at the sacrifice they make - training four or five times a week, away at weekends, and being very restricted in terms of their social life.
"I played for Louth for 16 years so I know the sacrifices and I am lucky that I had the support of my wife and family all that time. Therefore I think it is important that we create an atmosphere where players are comfortable and families are part of the set-up."
While the Clan na Gael clubman is fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead, in typical 'Fitzer' style he is determined to meet them head on and do his utmost to overcome them. It is his aim to do this for one simple reason - his passion for his native county.
"I am well aware how big a challenge this is but I am really looking forward to it. It is something I have always wanted to do and I just want to see Louth being a success," added Peter who admits that he is hampered by the end-of-season break.
"I just can't wait to get started and it is very frustrating that I can't get out with the players because of the training ban in November and December so I am restricted to having players training in the gym. I aim to put together a panel of 24 and then I will hold trial matches in November and December and to bring the squad up to 30 in preparation for the O'Byrne Cup."
One thing he is determined to do is to continue the approach of Eamonn McEneaney in giving young players a chance to claim a place in the squad as he believes there is a good pool of talent available at present.
"Louth have done very well over the last four or five years at minor and under-21 level. Maybe not in terms of winning medals, but you don't have to win to be successful and some very promising players with big futures have come through the system. We'll be concentrating on youth and contacting lads in due course."
While the Dundalk man knows the support for Louth is fantastic and that it would be great if the team could build up some momentum, he is setting modest targets for the coming year.
"My short term aim is to use the O'Byrne Cup to have a look at as many players as possible and then our first priority is to make sure we stay in Division 3 and to be honest, I can't look further than that at this stage," added the manager who is hoping that the county will back him in his efforts.
"To be honest, I don't have a magic wand but I will promise to do my very best and all I ask for is a fair crack of the whip. I know I'll be judged on how we perform but I can assure people that I will leave no stone unturned in trying to achieve success. If I don't succeed then I will be the first to hold my hand up, but I can promise that I won't give up without a fight."
Putting aside the battles that lie ahead, Peter is thrilled that his opening match as manager will see him go head-to-head with one of the legends of the game.
"It really is a dream come true for me to be facing Mick O'Dwyer when we take on Wicklow on the O'Byrne Cup on January 10th. Micko is one of my heroes and one of the great names in GAA so I just can't wait for that game to come around." Tweet
