Upbeat Poacher already making plans for next season

Leitrim manager Steven Poacher was already planning for next year after a turbulent season ended with a Tailteann Cup victory over Tipperary last Sunday.

It was Leitrim's first and only win of a season that hit rock bottom in March when they failed to fulfil their Allianz League Division 3 fixture against Fermanagh due to an injury crisis and U20 commitments.

“We've been training with 18, 19 players and a couple of weeks before the Mayo game we trained with just 11, trying to get the walking wounded boys back on their feet. Don't get me wrong, they're all on the field and all training, but to take part in full football and to get to where we've got to, it goes to show you that these lads are willing to learn," the Down native explained to the Leitrim Observer after his side's 3-9 to 0-10 victory.

“The key thing now is a bit of robustness - we're talking about S&C and running power and stuff, but develop a bit of robustness, a bit of steel over the winter.

"That's the key thing over the winter - to get into the gym in the next few weeks after a bit of a rest, a bit of downtime, get into the gym, get their work done, get their S&C done.”