Dramatic u-turn sees Fitzpatrick take over as Louth manager

FORMER Louth defender Peter Fitzpatrick has been dramatically chosen to manage the county football team, a week after ruling himself out of the running.

It’s understood that Louth officials were keen on Navan O’Mahony’s club manager Sean Kelly to succeed Eamonn McEnaney in the hot seat.

But after failing to land their man they then turned to Fitzpatrick who answered his county’s call at the 11th hour.

Fitzpatrick took a call from Louth officials on Monday afternoon asking him to attend an interview after which he was endorsed by the Management Committee to replace McEnaney. The Dundalk man will be officially ratified at a full county board meeting on November 9.

His first task will be an O’Byrne Cup clash with Wicklow on January 10 before Louth open their Allianz league Division 3 at home to Wexford on February 7.

Ultimately, his challenge will be to restore pride in the Wee County after McEnaney’s four year reign which started well but finished with a poor 2009 campaign that yielded championship defeats to Laois and Tipperary.

Meanwhile, Meath man and former Cavan boss Paddy Kelly is to be recommended for the position of Louth hurling boss.