Players will have to learn quickly - Fitzgerald

New Tipperary senior football manager was a relieved yet frustrated man after his sides opening round draw with London in division 4 of the National Football League on Sunday.

“Delighted to come away with a point when it was looking very unlikely,” admitted the Moyle Rovers clubman to Tipp FM.

“I’m really happy we showed that character but really disappointed with some elements of our game.

“Our general efficiency was really below par. Some of our decision making was very poor. We left a lot of scores behind us, including handpassing two balls off the post, you have got to be taking those scores. That was disappointing.

“It was a constant theme through the game where we got it back to a point, we in the ascendency and had control of the game and the ball but then butchered a number of chances and let the moment pass. London’s efficiency was better.

“On top of that, we were a lot more open than we should at the back. They scored at least thirteen points from their half forward line who really caused us problems, and we never got to grips with that which was worrying.

“It’s good to come away with a point but overall, we have a lot of work to do.”

On the plus side, he was pleased with the character shown and the quality of the scores they managed to get, including five two-pointers.

“I can’t doubt character for a second,” Fitzgerald continued.

“That game looked gone but the lads never stopped, staying plugging away, and kicked some brilliant scores. That’s why it is frustrating, we have good footballers but out decision making at times needs to be sharper, improve our efficiency and be that bit more clinical.”

While many will look on the inability to beat London for the third year in a row as being a failure, Fitzgerald pointed to where Tipperary are at, at the moment.

“There is a huge learning curve,” the Tipp manager insisted.

“With Paddy O’Keeffe coming on, that made it seven national league debuts, that is significant. They have to learn fast, that is the nature of it because it is unforgiving.

“London will make any team earn it over here. They played some very good football, their half forward line especially was outstanding and caused us woeful problems.”

Fitzgerald paid tribute to the senior players for leading the way, including Sean O’Connor who contributed nine points, four of which were two-points, while Steven O’Brien and Paudie Feehan played while not being at one hundred percent.

“In fairness to Paudie, he had been fairly sick all week so his energy levels were no where near where they needed to be.

That was hard on him,” revealed the Tipp boss.

“For Steven (O’Brien) it was his first game back so we have to manage his minutes. There is an injury history there and we have to mind him.

“They are senior players we have to look up to in a big way. If we can have them on the field going full tilt for longer, we would but we have to be smart. There are seven league games and we want them playing all of them.”