Davy Fitzgerald

David Fitzgerald (born 2 August 1971 in Sixmilebridge, County Clare, Ireland) is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is a former manager of the Waterford senior hurling team.

Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time,^[1] Fitzgerald enjoyed a hugely successful playing career at club level with Sixmilebridge and at inter-county level with Clare. He was a key member of the latter team during the 'golden age' of the 1990s and collected two All-Ireland titles, three Munster titles and four All-Star awards. Fitzgerald also claimed All-Ireland and Munster titles at club level.

Even during his playing days Fitzgerald became involved in team management. He has served as a coach to every team in his home club of Sixmilebridge while also bring Fitzgibbon Cup success to Limerick Institute of Technology. Fitzgerald was appointed manager of the Waterford senior hurling team in June 2008.^[2]

Playing career

Club

FitzGerald plays his club hurling with his local Sixmilebridge club in Clare. He has much success with the side, winning virtually every honour available at club level. In 1989 FitzGerald was just breaking onto the senior team when 'the Bridge' won the Clare SHC. Three years later in 1992 and 1993 he was a full member of the team when Sixmilebridge captured back-to-back county titles. Two years later in 1995 FitzGerald claimed another county title, before winning his first Munster club championship. On St. Patrick's Day, 1996 he captured his first, and to date his only, All-Ireland club medal. Another county title followed in 2000, which itself was converted into another Munster title. FitzGerald captured his last county medal in 2002.

Inter-county

FitzGerald made his senior debut for Clare in a National Hurling League game against Down in February 1989. He was 17 years-old at the time. The following year he became the number one choice for goalkeeper on the senior team, making his Munster Championship debut against Limerick in 1990. At the time Clare hurling was in the doldrums, however, within a few years FitzGerald's side would become one of the most feared teams in the championship. In 1993 and 1994 Clare suffered back-to-back Munster final defeats to Tipperary and Limerick respectively, however, in 1995 Clare came from nowhere to win their first Munster title since 1932. In the game against Limerick FitzGerald ran the length of the pitch to take a penalty. Following his conversion of the penalty FitzGerald ran the length of the pitch again to defend his goal-line. This goal was included in RTÉ's Top 20 GAA Moments television programme in 2005. In the subsequent All-Ireland final against Offaly FitzGerald, who was earning a reputation as one of the most reliable goalkeepers, fumbled a Michael Duignan goal into the back of his net shortly before half-time. In spite of that mistake Clare won the day and FitzGerald collected his first All-Ireland medal.

In 1996 Clare dramatically lost their Munster and All-Ireland titles in a first-round meeting with Limerick. Clare were back in 1997 with FitzGerald winning a second Munster title following a defeat of Tipperary. In the subsequent All-Ireland final Clare and Tipp met again, however, it was FitzGerald's side who collected the title following a one-point victory. In winning the 1997 All-Ireland final Clare beat Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperray - the big three of hurling. In doing so they became only the second team ever, along with Waterford in 1959, to achieve this. In 1998 FitzGerald claimed his third Munster medal, however, following a bizarre three-game battle with Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final, Clare, the red-hot favourites to retain the title, were knocked out of the championship.

The following few seasons proved difficult for FitzGerald and Clare as Cork and Tipperary re-emerged as the kingpins of Munster. In 2002 Clare were defeated in the first-round of the provincial championship, however, by using the expanded qualifier system FitzGerald's team qualified for the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny provided the opposition on that occasion, however, 'the Cats' won the day. In 2005 Clare faced Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. At half-time Clare were well on top, however, an enormous fight-back by 'the Rebels' resulted in a one-point defeat for FitzGerald's team. In 2006 Clare reached the All-Ireland semi-final once again, however, Kilkenny emerged victorious on that occasion.

In 2007 FitzGerald sensationally walked away from the Clare senior hurling team after disagreements with the new manager Tony Considine.^[3] There was speculation that he may return, however, FiztGerald announced on numerous occasions that he would not return. As a result of this he played no part in the 2007 championship and was replaced as goalkeeper by Philip Brennan. In March 2008 FitzGerald returned to the Clare senior hurling team under new manager Mike McNamara. He played a challenge match against Kilkenny, however, a serious finger injury hampered his style of play. After this unsuccessful return he eventually decided to retire from inter-county hurling on 1 April 2008.^[4] Because of this he was denied the chance to equal and surpass Christy Ring's record of 64 appearances in championship games.

Throughout his career FitzGerald was nominated for nine All Stars and has received the award three times (1995, 2002 and 2005).^[5] He claimed the top prize in the Poc Fada competition on two occasions. In 2005 FitzGerald published his autobiography, "Passion and Pride".

Provincial

FitzGerald has also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He made his debut in 1993 and went on to capture four Railway Cup medals in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2005.

Managerial career

Even during his playing days FitzGerald became heavily involved in coaching and managing teams. Since the early 1990s he has coached virtually every team from juvenile to senior with his own native Sixmilebridge club. He has also taken charge of the Limerick Institute of Technology hurling team, guiding them to two Fitzgibbon Cup titles in 2005 and 2007. In August 2007 FitzGerald emerged as a shock contender for the Tipperary hurling manager post following the departure of Michael 'Babs' Keating. While FitzGerald did express an interest the job eventually went to Liam Sheedy.

Waterford manager

2008

Following Justin McCarthy's resignation as manager of the Waterford senior hurling team following a defeat by Clare, FitzGerald's name was one of those mentioned as a possible successor. At the time he was the manager of the Nenagh Éire Óg club team in Tipperary, however, he was ratified as manager for the duration of the championship on June 9, 2008.^[2] His first game in charge ended in a 21 point victory over Antrim in the second round of the All-Ireland qualifiers.^[6] FitzGerald's side were less impressive in their next game. A 2-18 to 0-18 defeat of Offaly gave them a safe passage into the All-Ireland quarter-final, however, much work was needed.^[7] Wexford were next up and, while many commentators expected Waterford to win easily, the game was another close affair. At time it looked as if Wexford could pull away and win the game, however, Waterford fought back to secure a one-point win in a score line of 2-19 to 3-15.^[8] The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Waterford take on Munster rivals Tipperary. It was Waterford's sixth All-Ireland semi-final appearance in a decade, however, they had lost the previous five encounters. Waterford got off to a great start scoring six points without reply. Tipp came back into the game and both sides exchanged tit-for-tat scores for much of the second half. In the end Waterford were able to break their semi-final hoodoo and qualify for a first All-Ireland final since 1963.^[9] In the final as Waterford were heavily defeated by to the three-in-a-row Kilkenny team managed by Brian Cody, 3-30 to 1-13.^[10]

2009

A relatively poor performance in the 2009 National Hurling League saw Waterford end up in 6th place in Division 1, with 2 victories and 4 defeats over the course of the campaign.

Waterford started their 2009 championship campaign with a draw against Limerick in the Munster semi final, in a match of poor quality and low scoring.^[11] The replay proved a better affair, with Waterford winning by 8 points after a much improved performance from both sides.^[12] Waterford then went on to take on Tipperary in the Munster final, but lost on a scoreline of 4-14 to 2-16.^[13] They defeated Galway in the All Ireland quarter final following a second half comeback which saw them scoring the winning point in the final minute.^[14] They then went on to play Kilkenny in the semi-final, in a replay to 2008's All Ireland final. Despite a far better performance than the previous encounter, Waterford lost 2-23 to 3-15.^[15]

2010

Waterford won the 2010 Munster Senior Hurling Championship after defeating Cork by 1-16 to 1-13 in the final after a replay and extra time.^[16] In the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final they lost to Tipperary by 3-19 to 1-18.^[17] On 27 September, Fitzgerald was ratified for two more years as Waterford hurling manager. He was the nomination of the four-man selection committee put before a full meeting of the board. If he sees out the two years it will take his involvement with the county to five championship campaigns.^[18]

2011

On 10 July 2011, Waterford were defeated in the Munster Final by Tipperary on a scoreline of 7-19 to 0-19 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.^[19] In September 2011, Fitzgerald informed the Waterford county board that he would not be seeking another term as manager of the Waterford hurling team bringing an end to his three years in charge.^[20][21]

Clare manager

On 11 October 2011, Fitzgerald was confirmed as the Clare senior hurling manager on a three-year term.^[22][23]

References

Teams

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