NEW Louth manager, Peter Fitzpatrick, revealed the identity of a three-strong backroom team yesterday afternoon ( Tuesday).

The former Reds star has opted for plenty of inter-county experience in his line-up in the form of Armagh native, Martin McQuillan and former Louth ace, Johnny McDonnell.

He will also be hoping to transfer a successful club partnership with Pat's boss Gerry Cumiskey onto the county scene, after the duo guided the Lordship based club to three county titles in five seasons.

Geraldines' clubman, Shane McGuinness will take on the role of county board liaison officer in the new regime.

'I thought hard about it for the last two weeks,' Fitzpatrick said. 'But what I have is guys who want to be involved and don't expect a penny in return.'

He pointed out that he will have a good geographical spread too, with Fechin's clubman McDonnell bringing a considerable knowledge of football in the south of the county to the table.

McQuillan will provide an external input, although the former Armagh and Ulster star was directly involved in Louth football last season when he managed Kilkerley Emmets.

Like their new boss, both McDonnell and Cumiskey have managed the Louth minor team at various stages in their careers.

Fitzpatrick is in the process of naming a 24-man panel, which he revealed will consist of about 75% of players who were there last season and 25% new blood.

'We will hold two trial games towards the end of the month to find the other six. I have contacted all club secretaries - from all 38 clubs - and asked them to recommend players, so no-one can say they weren't given a fair shot.'

The GAA's winter training ban means the new boss won't be able to work with his panel until January, but he revealed they will all be given individual programmes to follow in Felda Gym.

Meanwhile, one man Fitzpatrick won't have on his backroom team is lifelong GAA servant and dedicated kit manager, Charlie McAllister.

The Newtown Blues clubman revealed this week that he will relinquish his duties for health reasons, but Fitzpatrick insisted he will be more than welcome to attend games on the team bus.

'Charlie will be a big loss. He has dedicated over 35 years of his life to a job he took very, very seriously. But I told him he is more than welcome to come on the bus and be part of the set-up and I hope he takes me up on the offer.'

Charlie, meanwhile, paid tribute to all of the Louth players and management teams he worked with over the years, stating:

'It's a very, very sad day for me, calling it a day after 35 years.

'It was an extreme honour that was first bestowed on me by the late Peadar Kearney and the camaraderie, friendship and courtesy I received from everybody over the years was amazing and made the job a great deal easier.

'Since I got sick, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity people have shown particularly Eamonn McEneaney and the Louth players, who really came to my rescue in my darkest hours.'

- John SAVAGE