LONDON are energised by the prospect of playing their All-Ireland qualifier against Cavan in Croke Park tomorrow, says manager Paul Coggins.
However, the manager expressed his disappointment at the decision to disallow Eoin O’Neill’s first-half goal against Mayo in last Sunday's Connacht Final.
“We are very much looking forward to Saturday, playing in Croke Park is an ambition for so many players and we will relish this opportunity,” he said, but his enthusiasm was tempered.
“I’m not criticising the referee, and I don’t want it to sound that way because overall we have no excuses but it was a legitimate goal and would have brought the score back to 1-5 versus 1-2 at a critical time for us.
"I have watched the video back and I can’t not make that point…I just think it was something that was worth a second look but there was no consultation with the umpires. These things happen in games and we were beaten by a fine team”.
London lost to the Westerners 5-11 to 0-10 and Coggins would not reveal what tactics they might chose to play against Cavan.
“People will say about putting 12 and 13 men behind the ball, but we felt we had to give it a go and give it our best shot, that this would give us spare men up the field to create goal chances, which we did.
"Now myself and Kevin will look at Cavan, we haven’t had that much time to be honest, but we will prepare to the best of our ability this week,” he said on Monday.
The manager reported a clean bill of health for tomorrow's 3pm fixture and reflecting on the final he said: "It was an occasion and we said we wouldn’t treat it as such until the game was over.
"The fans, the atmosphere, the welcome, the roar when we ran onto the pitch were absolutely huge. Something we won’t forget and something which has given the team great encouragement.We are grateful for that and all those who travelled to support us.”
