Former Leitrim star Emlyn Mulligan says that he contacted manager Steven Poacher, and offered to "tog out" for the county, in order to help them fulfil the Fermanagh fixture.
Leitrim shocked the GAA world last Saturday when they revealed that they would be conceding their National League game against Fermanagh.
Poacher said that due to an unprecedented number of injuries, and the fact that they are so reliant on their U20 players who would be playing their championship just a couple of days later, that they only had 13 players available.
However, Mulligan told OceanFM that showing up and completing your fixtures is the bare minimum that a team should do.
READ HERE: Leitrim Manager Says Players Were Against Decision To Forfeit League Game
"When I read the statement that came out on Saturday afternoon, it came with a lot of mixed emotions, and a lot of disappointment to be honest.
"I think the minimum requirement for any team, whether it is the league, or club, and definitely at county - is to fulfil your fixtures if possible, or at least try your absolute best.
"I understand the situation, and I understand Steven's concern about players and that, but I do believe that there was definitely the potential to go out and fulfil that fixture.
"Albeit they were relegated already, but just out of respect for the competition, respect for the players, the supporters, people who have poured money into the county over a number of years - it has just brought a lot of negative media attention on us and I think it could have definitely been avoided.
"A lot of different emotions, and sadness, even just for the players. The anger, disappointment, and embarrassment to be honest, because it puts us in the media attention again for the wrong reasons, and I spoke before about the Mickey Graham situation, I felt that would not have happened any other county, and again I just think this wouldn't have happened in any other county."
Mulligan also revealed that he and five others had offered their services and would sit on the bench just so that the Fermanagh game could go ahead.
"I did contact Steven myself on Saturday, just voicing my slight concern, and I put it out there that I would tog out myself on Sunday, and that I would get five other players that had recently retired from inter-county football that would come with me, and that we would sit on the bench just to fulfil that fixture.
"We are proud Leitrim men, and we have given so much to the county over the years, and as a player you want to leave the jersey in the best place possible, and and over the last couple of years, through Andy (Moran) and that, I felt it was getting to a high enough standard, so just to see it all over the media, and not being able to get 15 players out on the pitch, it's just a really sad day.
"I got in touch with a couple of lads just to see if there would be potential, if it was a case of they couldn't get players, but obviously the intention was to invite maybe fringe players who maybe did well in the club championship last year.
"I know Steven's point of view on that was that they were not prepared, but at the same time I felt that I need to just put myself forward, because I don't want to see my county go down this sort of avenue and get this sort of attention.
"I just wanted to put on record that there was a number of us who would have togged out on Sunday just to fulfil the fixture."
Leitrim released a statement outlining their reasons for conceding the game, with player welfare being the main reason behind the decision.
The Leitrim U20 team lost their opening Connacht championship game against Galway last night, and it is yet to be revealed who will be available for selection against their upcoming match against Sligo this Sunday.
