Coggins rules out defensive approach against Tribesmen

London boss Paul Coggins has dismissed suggestions his side will adopt a defensive approach in Sunday’s Connacht SFC semi-final against Galway.

The Exiles are 5/1 outsiders to follow up on last season’s heroics with victory against the Tribesmen.

But Coggins was emphatic when asked whether London needed to take a defensive approach.

He said: “We went into a Connacht final and never set up that way (to play defensively). We will go out and play the best we can.

“We have taken a lot of belief from last year’s performances and it’s great to have guys that know what it’s about and what it takes to win.”

Under Coggins, London have been tough to beat in the championship in Ruislip. During his first year in charge the Exiles forced Mayo to extra time before losing by three points. In 2012, they lost by a point to both Leitrim and Antrim and then came last season’s one-point victory over Sligo.

But on Sunday their task will be challenging if key players, Lorcan Mulvey (hamstring), Shane Mulligan (ankle), and Greg Crowley (hamstring) fail to recover from knocks.

“We are confident of getting them right,” said the manager.

“But if they are not right there are guys putting in huge performances in training and that’s what we have a big squad for.”

In addition, London expect to be without Sean Kelly and Dave McGreevy, both of whom starred in last year’s run to the Connacht final.

Asked how he was going to set-up tactically against Galway, the Roscommon native said: “I don’t think playing to plans is always a good thing — it’s more about what’s in a guy’s head, does he believe he is better than the guy he is marking?

“Galway are strong everywhere. They are an experienced side but we are more interested in our own game. We have to concentrate on getting our game right. It’s all about our own performance.

“We have huge respect for them and we hope they have respect for us.”