Adrian Dockery believes his Leitrim side are all prepared for a run in this year’s Connacht minor championship.
The last time Leitirm lifted a minor title was some 53-years-ago in 1968. Something Dockery isn’t focusing on as Leitrim begin their Connacht minor campaign against Sligo on Friday night.
“Our guys don’t put a huge amount of thought into advantages” explained Dockery. “They’re more into how to play the game, I think they’re good to go”.
“It’s a home game for them” added Dockery. “The familiarity of the surroundings is something for our guys is something to work on”.
The covid-19 pandemic has played havoc with the minor football schedule. Leitrim playing their first competitive minor game of the season on the bank holiday weekend.
“It’s getting close, we’re lucky in some ways we have had a longer run in than some other counties, but we are good to go.
“With covid it’s been a bit difficult but we have a very reasonable idea of what we’re up against!”
Leitrim Senior results
While it’s the first competitive game of 2021 for Dockery’s side, Leitrim footballers haven’t had the best of 2021 years.
Terry Hyland stepped down as senior team boss after the devastating defeat to Mayo in the senior championship. Leitirm having lost three Allianz League game.
“We haven’t paid that much attention to it” declared Dockery. “Theres an element of disappointment, but were in kind of in a bubble, we’re just focused on our group”.
“Games tend to come thick and fast and you just focus on what’s ahead of you so it doesn’t have a huge impact on us” added Dockery.5
A victory on Friday night would setup a Connacht minor final with Roscommon or Galway, after Roscommon saw off Mayo. Leitrim’s last appearance in a Connacht minor final was in 2002.
Sligo versus Leitrim is live on Friday night sports special this Friday night from 7pm. The shows also features the Ulster U20 final between Monaghan and Down.
