Davy’s swipe at critics with ‘agendas’ against him

WATERFORD manager Davy Fitzgerald last night hit back at his sharpest critics, claiming they all have agendas against him.

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Committee Room, the Sixmilebridge man singled out former Tipperary manager Babs Keating and his selector John Leahy as well as Irish Examiner hurling columnist Tony Considine.

“Criticism is funny,” said Fitzgerald. “There are two or three elements. Number one, you have the written media. In fairness, there are times you deserve it and you have to take it. Certainly, I would think they’re balanced enough.

“The second part, I’ve heard that Babs and John Leahy have had a go at me. I suppose I know where that comes from — where once upon a time I said Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly shouldn’t have been dropped (in 2007) and they’re getting their chance to have a go at me.

“Lastly, the funniest part of all, you’ve the likes of Tony Considine, an ex-selector with us, and he’d be writing a lot of stuff.

“I actually laugh a lot about this one because Tony probably never played senior hurling with county or club and he’s never managed a team to do anything.

“When people say to me ‘Tony’s had a cut (at you)’ I just say ‘oh, alright’ and have a good giggle. It doesn’t really bother me.”

Put to him by presenter Marty Morrissey that Keating, Leahy and Considine are knowledgeable hurling men, Fitzgerald argued: “Everybody is entitled to their opinion but you’ve got to get out there and be stuck in this game at a high level.

The most important thing about criticism is that it’s important to be balanced and not have agendas. That’s the big thing I would see out there.”

Fitzgerald, who reiterated he doesn’t know who he will be managing next season, also dismissed suggestions Waterford have made wholesale tactical changes after being routed for seven goals by Tipperary in the Munster final.

“I think tactically every manager gets some decisions wrong. If you ask Liam Sheedy or Brian Cody they would say the same thing.

“I’ve heard some stuff over the last number of weeks about there being no tactics in hurling and free-flowing hurling.

“Every county has a certain amount of tactics and we’re like every other county, we have our bits and pieces.

“I heard that we didn’t bother with them (tactics) after the Munster final, which is very, very untrue. We did, we had our stuff, we went back to them and we stayed with them.”

Regarding his future, Fitzgerald is yet to make up his mind but it’s believed he will make a decision about whether to seek an extra year with Waterford before the end of the month.

Asked if he’s interested in the Clare job which currently lies vacant after Ger O’Loughlin stepped down last month, the former Banner goalkeeper was coy.

“Whenever the time arises, you’d like to do it. You’re only ever from one place and you play for them,” said the 40-year-old.

“At some stage or another, whether it be next year or five years down the line, you’d like to think that you would get an opportunity to do it.”