Blow for Laois as Fitzpatrick sidelined for opening clashes

LAOIS’S Kevin Fitzpatrick will sit out the start of the championship following his decision this week to undergo surgery on a troublesome groin injury.

The Portlaoise player, who has played in every outfield line for Laois in the last eight years has reluctantly accepted that he must have an operation on the ‘gilmore groin’ he first picked up last October.

Former Meath midfielder and surgeon Gerry McEntee will perform the operation, possibly some time this week, which means Fitzpatrick will miss the Leinster SFC game with Offaly and, should Laois win that, the semi-final against Wicklow, Kildare or Westmeath on June 19.