Fitzgerald’s Déise ease past sluggish Clare

WATERFORD’s first-half excellence in Cusack Park yesterday helped them to a comfortable NHL Division One clash with Clare in a game which never quite caught fire.

However, it was an emotional return for former Clare ’keeper and Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald to the ground he graced with the Banner for almost two decades, as he admitted after the game.

“I found it difficult,” he said. “I didn’t knock any satisfaction out of that. There were times I’d say I’d still like to be playing, I was tipping away with the club last year and you’d say, ‘could I still be there?’, but I’m not. But I’m managing Waterford and I’m enjoying my time there, the lads are working very hard. To be involved in hurling, for me, is very important.”