Fitzgerald to miss club final against Skryne

PORTLAOISE are resigned to playing their AIB Leinster club SFC final against Meath champions Skryne without Ian Fitzgerald.

The county star is getting married on Friday and heading off to Australia on a lengthy honeymoon three days later.

Manager Tommy Conroy, a member of the last team to win the provincial title in 1987, accepted Fitzgerald's situation. "He has his plans made, no more than Darren Magee,'' he commented. Magee was a member of the Kilmacud Crokes team which won the Dublin title and missed Sunday's Dr Cullen Park defeat as he was in Australia.

"He had his mind made up. We put a bit of pressure on him, but not undue pressure. It was unfortunate, but it was his call at the end of the day,'' said manager Mick Dillon who fancies the Laois champions to capture the title. "If they can knuckle down and keep their heads, they will take an awful lot of beating.''

Conroy though is cautious about the prospects of winning in Newbridge.

"I don't know much about them, apart from the county lads they have," he said. "but any team from Meath that goes out and qualifies for a Leinster final is certain to be extremely accomplished and have a good spread of players throughout the field."

There is no lack of depth in his squad, as highlighted by late changes made to the line-out on Sunday. "A lot of fellows do not see action at all and you feel for them when they don't get any run. But, it's important to remember that they are all part of the set-up. Without them, we would not be going anywhere.

"We weren't able to start Kevin Fitzpatrick, because he wasn't feeling too well. It was obviously a huge plus to be able to bring in a player of his calibre. He is a super player, a great man for the big occasion.''