DAVY FITZGERALD BRINGS a media spotlight with him wherever he goes, and his arrival in Wexford likely means the county’s hurlers will be under more scrutiny that they’ve experienced in recent years.
That’s not an issue for Lee Chin, who says the Wexford camp felt energised after the appointment of the 2013 All-Ireland winning manager.
“I was ecstatic,” he says. “Obviously down through the years you see what he has achieved in his (playing) career and then his managerial roles, you know that he has got that X factor about him.
“The moment he was appointed there was a good feeling around the camp. The players were still in contact with each other and it seemed like the general feeling was pretty positive.
“I don’t think that he brings pressure at all.”
Fitzgerald parted company with his native Clare after the 2016 season but Wexford quickly moved to secure the former goalkeeper as Liam Dunne’s successor.
“We needed somebody with a high profile and winning ways and no better man than Davy,” continues Chin.
“He just recently had won an All-Ireland in 2013 and he’s the type of person who moved with the modern game.
“He’s obviously very tactical and stuff like that, and that’s the way the game has gone.
“He really installs in us that he believes in us and to get us to believe in ourselves. Regardless of what way a game goes we are going to fight to the bitter end, regardless if we are down by 10 points. He just wants to see that fight.”
Fitzgerald saw plenty of that fight last Sunday, when Wexford battled back from a seven-point deficit to storm past Limerick in their Division 1B opener.
Chin played a big role in the victory, he was sent in to the edge of the square as a target man and he chipped in with a score during his spell inside.
“It’s not a position I’m very experienced in, it’s not a position I would prefer for myself, I’d rather be out in the middle of things out the field but Davy has these ideas.
“He’s getting a lot out of us with the way he’s going and whatever he says I’ll do. If he wants to put me in the goal I’ll go in the goal!
“Davy has obviously came in with an idea of every forward being able to play in every position, we’ve worked on that a lot.
“It’s just something he’s building us up for when the big day comes, that any player can slot into any position.”
A dual player with Wexford in the past, Chin was contacted by incoming Wexford football boss Seamus McEneaney, but he says it was a short conversation.
“He gave me a call but it was only a brief call. I didn’t want to beat around the bush with him.
“When he did call I appreciated it, but I just swiftly moved it to the side and told him I wouldn’t waste anyone’s time – myself or his — and that I wouldn’t be partaking in it.
“My mind is just totally focussed on hurling and wanting to achieve something there, so that’s my main focus. Like I’ve mentioned before, it is next to impossible (to play both).”
The42 GAA / SoundCloud
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
