Stephen Poacher says the decision not ro field a Leitirm senior team against Fermanagh last week was not his!
In a hard hitting interview broadcast on Newstalk, Poacher explained a number of ‘stakeholders’ took the decision.
The Leitrim boss also highlighted a significant change in attitude was required by the Leitrim footballers.
“It came about late on Friday. The decision that was made, was the U20’s wouldn’t be available” Poacher explained.
“For me it’s really straight forward. I didn’t really have a decision to make, I’m the manager of the team. I’m not in charge of the county as a whole” Poacher told Newstalk.
“There’s a number of stakeholders in this". Poacher added; “There’s an Under-20 management as well, there’s a senior management, there’s the county board. There’s a medical staff”.
“There’s a huge array of people who are involved in this and I’ve been pretty generous with my time to come out and try and speak about it and try and shed some light on it” added Poacher.
The Leitirm was manager was keen to point out how he wanted the story to be brought to a close from the outset.
However, Poacher delved further into the lead up of the decision not to field a team against Fermanagh, explaining the lead up to the decision on Friday night.
Leitrim U20 played a challenge match last Wednesday
“We prepared Wednesday night without them. They (U20) were playing a challenge game against Dublin. We were good enough in the free week to release them for 10 days with the U20 squad”.
“It’s important to remember, that you have an U20 championship were this group feel they can possibly win Connacht. We’re trying to give them the best possible opportunity to do that”.
The Leitrim boss cited misinformation in some media outlets as Leitrim failed to field a team in the Allianz League for the first time.
The Down native highlighting, that no development panel exists in Leitrim. Also, that most clubs including county champions Mohill have yet to return to training.
However, Poacher took aim at the attitude of a number of players who were not selected for the Leirim panel this year and highlights that a ‘culture change was needed in Leitrim football.
Attitude change needed
“For years and years, for counties like Leitirm, sub-standard behaviours have been accepted and this is with all due respect to previous management teams”.
“But maybe because you stood on a bank and watched a club game with a former manager and was pally, pally. That was good enough for you to slip or to get away x, y and z”.
“I’m only using that tongue and check, that’s not what happened” added Poacher.
“But what I’m saying is, we need to change the culture and standard. The players want to change the culture and standards.
“Last weekend was obviously disappointing for everyone of course it was. The reason we carry a smaller panel is because some players can’t live to those standards and cultures that we are trying to achieve in Leitirm”.
On a positive ending, the Leitrim boss advised that his side would field a team against Sligo this weekend. Even if just 15 players were available.
