SEAN Fitzgerald has revealed that the physical effects of keeping wicket for more than 30 years prompted his decision to relinquish the role at Dorchester.

Fitzgerald, who turns 53 in August, remains an integral part of the county town side, although his position behind the stumps is now occupied by Nick Roe.

And Fitzgerald revealed to Echosport that it was after his team’s defeat to Sherborne in May that he decided to hang up his wicketkeeper’s gloves.

Having re-broken his left thumb last season and required surgery on his right one, Fitzgerald broke a finger at Sherborne and was also guilty of dropping a catch he knows he should have taken.

But despite realising it was time to end his wicketkeeping duties, he admits the decision was still a hard one to make.

“It was tough,” he said. “It’s something I did for a very long time, and I enjoyed doing it.

“It has felt a bit strange during the last two games because I’m so used to being involved with every ball we bowl.

“I will miss it but I’m not going to go back to it – my gloves aren’t even in my kit bag now.”

Going into more detail, he added: “I broke my left thumb the season before last and broke it again last year.

“I had to have an operation on my right thumb last year and then at Sherborne the third finger on my right hand was at a right angle so I’ve been playing with that strapped up as well.

“I also dropped a sitter in that match and something told me that after more than 30 years I had done it long enough.

“Nick Roe was available and he has slotted in really well.”

Both Fitzgerald and Roe are set to be involved tomorrow when Dorchester travel the short distance to Martinstown for an eagerly-anticipated Dorset Premier League derby (1pm).

Both Fitzgerald and Dorchester go into the fixture in good shape – the former scored a half-century in the victory over Parley last Saturday.

That was only a second win of the campaign for Simon Mitchem’s men, who Fitzgerald feels are playing well despite their lowly position in the table.

“We are competing in every game and you can see an improvement each week in our batting and bowling,” he added.

"We've got quite a young team in terms of experience and some of the players are still getting used to the speed of the game."

Elsewhere this weekend, Dorchester Seconds host Ashmore in County Division Three and Martinstown Seconds visit Bradford Abbas down in Division Five.

Dorchester first XI ball sponsor: Dorset Wine Company