LONGSTONE’S Michael Ireland has explained that despite poor results so far this season, the club have a plan in place to avoid relegation and protect their senior championship status.
Longstone’s season has not gone well this year.
They have won just three of their 11 games played.
The problem, according to Michael, is that they have been short-handed.
“We have had five of our main players from last year away,” he said.
“Five players out of our team is ridiculous.
“A couple of years ago we had lost a couple of players, but this time it is five.
“It is tough trying to cope being a small club like we are.”
The list of absentees is notable.
Gareth Fitzpatrick is away to the Canada for the summer. He was vice captain this year.
His brother is away to Australia. Michael Hughes took time out to get married. Conor Doran has returned recently after spending time in London. He had been flying back and forth for league matches. Gareth McDowell was over in London too, but is back. However, he is working in Dublin and just travels up for games at the weekend.
Plus they don’t have one of their very best players in Finn McElroy, who is playing with the county.
“Finn is with the county. He has only played one game [for Longstone]. That was Downpatrick and we won.”
In the current issue, read more about why Michael thinks things will get better for Longstone.
