Fitz fixture request denied

WATERFORD GAA chiefs have refused requests from hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald to postpone a round of senior football championship games fixed for the last weekend in June.

Fitzgerald is concerned the ties come too close to their Munster SHC final against Cork or Limerick on July 11.

Seven members of the hurling squad will be in club action including Stradbally’s Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh along with Ardmore’s Declan and Seamas Prendergast and goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy.

A number of delegates at this week’s meeting of Waterford County Board voiced opposition to Fitzgerald’s plan. Liam Mulcahy of Tallow said there was a fortnight between the football games and the Munster SHC final.

He added that the provincial decider was not ‘do or die’ and insisted the football games go ahead. Neil Moore of Abbeyside/Ballinacourty added: “They shouldn’t be called off under any circumstances.”

County secretary Timmy O’Keeffe noted the postponement of games was causing a fixtures logjam. He said: “I don’t believe we will make our county final dates if we are to be giving postponements at this stage. We have several dual senior clubs and some of them could be asked to play 14 weeks in a row. How fair is that?’’

Fitzgerald and selector Paraic Fanning addressed the meeting but their appeals were rejected by delegates. In a written report to the board, Fitzgerald said he and his management team were happy about their “very tight’’ Munster semi-final win over Clare but insisted there is still room for improvement.