Fitzgerald will serve out his reduced ban

DAVY FITZGERALD will serve his reduced four-week suspension — despite vehemently denying he verbally abused referee James Owens in Waterford’s Allianz Division 1 game against Tipperary earlier this month.

After a mammoth five-hour meeting with the Central Hearings Committee on Friday night, Fitzgerald presented a strong case against Central Competitions Control Committee-recommended 12-week ban and had it cut by two-thirds.

As his ban starts from last Friday, the Clare native will not be allowed to patrol the sideline for Waterford’s next two league games away to Kilkenny on Sunday and Offaly the following weekend. However, he will return just in time for the final round game at home to Galway, which could turn out to be a battle for a league final spot.

The dilution of the CCCC’s judgement represents a success for Fitzgerald. The proposed punishment was handed down for “threatening” language. However, that now appears to have been downgraded to a category two offence for “abusive language“.

Owens is believed to have quoted Fitzgerald in his referee’s report as threatening to “sort him out” after the match following an incident involving Seamus Prendergast. However, Fitzgerald contended there had been a misinterpretation. He claims he had asked the referee about the decision to hand Prendergast a yellow card to which Owens said they would “deal” with it after the match.

In response, Fitzgerald argued that he said, “Fair enough; we’ll deal with it after“.

Fitzgerald was also cited by fourth official Alan Kissane for making comments in the direction of the referee which he interpreted as being disparaging towards Owens.

But, Fitzgerald — backed by witnesses — strenuously denied the claim, pointing out that the remarks were made by another Waterford official.

Fitzgerald refused to comment last night, only to say that he wanted to “draw a line under the matter”.

However, a source close to the Waterford manager claimed he is still disappointed by the outcome of the hearing.

“Davy’s taking the hit for somebody else,” said the source.

“He probably should be making more of a bigger deal about it but he just wants the matter put to bed.

“Other managers have been getting away with murder giving out about decisions on the sideline and nothing has happened.

“Right now, he doesn’t want anything to upset the team. He just wants to concentrate on the hurling.”