DAVY FITZGERALD has stepped down as Waterford hurling manager, it has been confirmed.
The 52-year-old coach, who guided Clare to an All-Ireland triumph in 2013, leaves the role after almost two years in charge.
Fitzgerald consequently opted not to take the option of a third year.
Waterford narrowly missed out on qualifying from Munster this year, defeating Cork and drawing with Tipperary, before suffering losses to Clare and Limerick.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as manager of the Waterford senior hurling team,” Fitzgerald said in a statement released to the Irish Examiner.
“I would like to sincerely thank the players for their efforts over the last two years.
“Just the tiniest of margins prevented us from making Munster’s top three this year and progressing to the 2024 All-Ireland championship. It’s my firm belief that the talent is there for Waterford to compete strongly at hurling’s highest level again.
“I’d like to express a massive thanks to Peter (Queally), Eoin (Kelly) and all of my backroom team as well as county chairman, Seán Michael O’Regan, secretary, Pat Flynn, and PRO, Richard Tobin, for their unstinting support during the last two years. And finally I want to wish all involved with Waterford GAA every success into the future.”
A Waterford statement added: “Waterford GAA wish to confirm that Davy Fitzgerald has this evening informed the Waterford County Board that he has decided not to take up the option of a third year as Manager of the Waterford Senior Hurling team.
“During his tenure, Davy led the team with passion and commitment. His tactical acumen and leadership were instrumental in shaping the team’s performance. The players, backroom team and fans alike appreciate his contributions.
“Chairperson of Waterford GAA, Sean Micheal O’Regan, stated, “We sincerely thank Davy for his hard work and dedication over the past two years. His impact on the team has been significant, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
“A process will now be put in place for the appointment of a new Senior Hurling Team Management. Waterford GAA will not be issuing any further comment at this time.”
Wow what a coincidence that Austin overrated Gleason announced earlier on today how he got his hunger back and was rejoining the panel next year.
@Ron Burgundy: Austin Gleeson over rated? Just wondering do you remember Austin in 2016? Young hurler of the year, hurler of the year, all Ireland under 21 winner, a stalwart at centre back in all the years up to 2016.
Unfortunately then a lad named Derek McGrath was manager of Waterford senior team, and utterly destroyed Austin Gleason and so many other fantastic hurlers in Waterford at that time. Austin Gleason hasn’t played centre back since then. It’s my belief his career was destroyed by over complicated tactics, being played out of position and his freedom to express his hurling on the field stymied.
And about the aforementioned manager, when Waterford won the u-21 in 2016, the senior manager never once congratulated the u-21 manager.
Another thing, the manager of that U-21 all Ireland also managed the same team 3 years earlier to win a minor all Ireland and yet that manager has never been contacted by Waterford GAA Co board to see if in the years from 2019-2023 would he be interested in managing the senior (there are still a good number of both all Ireland winning players on the senior panel. Politics eh. If Sean Power had become Waterford manager, I would definitely say, Waterford would have at least one senior sll Ireland title under his guidance.
@WqM9AAv3: if he’s as good as you say he is he should be able to play anywhere they put him and complicated tactics.. whatever they are… should be no issue to a hurler of his talent.
@anthony davoren: Austin Gleason is a natural hurler, with natural talent and natural flair. All this was coached out of him. Austin was a fearless hurler all the way up to 2016 when he won the above.
Unfortunately after that year, his fearlessness was coached out of him. Certain managers are dictators and if you don’t do as they dictate, it’s bye bye for you
@WqM9AAv3: So in a nutshell, he had a good 2016, that’s 8 years ago btw. He sulked (because of davy fitz) and came up with an excuse that he fell out of love with the game this lsst year. 10 intercounty seasons now and nothing to show for it. But its everyones fault bar Austin’s according to you.
@WqM9AAv3: IF my aunt had balls she would be my uncle.
@WqM9AAv3: I never heard so much nonsense in my life…no such thing as natural talent…the reason he was so good was from the coaching he got over the years and the time he put into practising his craft. The reason he fell away is because mentally and physically he couldn’t sustain the level required. That’s on him, not the manager’s he has had.
@WqM9AAv3: stop talking lad, you’re doing the opposite to what you think you’re doing
Perhaps Brian Logan has decided to call it a day with Clare and there will be a second coming for Davy in Clare.
As a Deise man, I won’t be shedding any tears with him gone. Give the position to a waterford man like Darragh O Sullivan or Sean Power, forget about looking outside the county for a manager. How many outside managers have won all Ireland hurling titles?
@WqM9AAv3: I fear that no matter who is in charge in Waterford there’ll always be excuses.
Just out of curiosity which All Ireland since 2017 would Waterford have “definetly” won?