Fitzgerald: my only agenda is Déise glory

WATERFORD hurling boss Davy Fitzgerald last night pledged that all the players under his watch will enjoy equality of treatment as he prepares for his fourth championship season in charge in 2011 and insists he has no interest in “personal agendas”.

“My only agenda since I came to Waterford almost two and a half years ago was to do everything I possibly could for Déise hurling. I don’t hold grudges, I never have and I never will. That won’t change as I set about formulating and then implementing my plans and my programme for the team in the year ahead.”

There has been veiled criticism of Fitzgerald from some players in recent weeks, most notably from Dan Shanahan and Ken McGrath, but Fitzgerald is adamant that he would not engage in any kind of verbal argument about any member of his panel.

“What I can say however is that every player on our 2011 panel will be treated on an equal footing by myself and my fellow selectors, just as was the case this season. There are no agendas, there will be no looking back, and all I want is for Waterford to go all the way to All-Ireland glory next year for the first time since 1959. That, if we can achieve it, would make me the happiest man alive.”

Admitting to “personal delight’’ at being chosen again to manage the county team in the coming year, Fitzgerald said there is a great satisfaction at having been the unanimous choice of county board delegates.

“I take that as a recognition of what has been achieved during my time as manager as well as a vote of confidence to continue the work in the year ahead. Remember that of the 15 competitive games we played in 2010 we only lost three and that isn’t a bad record. There are several exciting young players coming through, and I would expect them to be challenging strongly for team inclusion next year. In time they will be very good. The backbone of this vastly experienced team still remains.”

Fitzgerald revealed that long-serving Mount Sion star Tony Browne will be a key component of his plans if he commits to the Déise cause next season.

“That decision rests entirely with Tony himself. But if Tony does decide to carry on then, yes, I would most definitely see him as being a key member of the 2011 panel.”

Fitzgerald will be sitting down in the coming weeks with selectors Paraic Fanning and Pat Bennett to begin preparations for next season. “Then it will be upwards and onwards, and with that all important rub of the green, who knows what 2011 will bring.”