Fitzgerald on verge of becoming Banner boss
Fitzgerald’s four-year reign as Waterford senior hurling boss came to an end a fortnight ago and speculation has intensified since that the 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland-winning goalkeeper would take charge of his native county.
Last Friday was the closing date for nominations by Clare clubs for the position that has been vacant since Ger O’Loughlin stepped down in July. Officials confirmed that Fitzgerald is the only candidate who has been submitted to the board executive ahead of tonight’s meeting.
Fitzgerald may not be formally ratified as the county senior boss tonight as it is understood that Clare GAA chiefs are eager to ensure the process is handled transparently.
Instead it is understood that a sub-committee will be established to meet with Fitzgerald in the coming days and discuss his plans for the job.
The establishment of a sub-committee to review all aspects of Clare hurling was mooted at a recent board meeting and that committee, which will be chaired by county chairman Michael O’Neill, is also set to be entrusted with meeting Fitzgerald.
The remainder of the committee will be finalised tonight and is likely to be drawn from former Clare senior hurlers and club delegates. A special meeting of the Clare County Board could then be called over the next fortnight to formally ratify Fitzgerald as the next manager.
In a further twist the 40-year-old is poised to make a dramatic comeback as goalkeeper with his club Sixmilebridge as they prepare for a county senior hurling semi-final next month after regular netminder Derek Fahy fractured a cheekbone in Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Inagh-Kilnamona in Cusack Park.
Fahy has been ruled out for the semi-final and Fitzgerald is set to come into the frame to fill the number one jersey for the clash with Cratloe.
Four years ago Fitzgerald’s playing days looked to be over when he suffered a serious injury to a finger on his left hand while lining out for Sixmilebridge against Crusheen in that season’s Clare SHC semi-final. The top part of Fitzgerald’s finger was almost completely severed in that incident and he underwent emergency reconstructive surgery in Galway. But he recovered from that injury and lined out for the club in the 2008 county senior championship, notably playing a game less than 48 hours before he managed Waterford against Kilkenny in that year’s All-Ireland senior final.
Meanwhile, Clare officials are also awaiting the report of referee Rory Hickey before deciding if they will impose sanctions related to the mass brawl that erupted towards the end of Sixmilebridge’s clash with Inagh-Kilnamona on Saturday. The tie was marred by the incident which saw Sixmilebridge defender Barry O’Connor receive a serious hand injury.
Elsewhere, Waterford’s management selection panel are prepared to go beyond their October 10 board meeting to ensure they have sufficient time to recommend the right candidate for the hurling post. The six-man committee will this week contact candidates about the position this week but are in no rush to choose Fitzgerald’s successor.
The group — chairman Tom Cunningham, vice-chairman John O’Leary, secretary Timmy O’Keeffe, treasurer Joe Cleary, Seamus Quirke (De La Salle) and John McDonnell (Tallow) — last weekend received nominations from clubs.
The sextet will consider Michael Ryan, who has been proposed by his club Fourmilewater, as well as other candidates whom they deem capable of managing the All-Ireland semi-finalists. However, it is believed weekend reports claiming current Wexford football manager Jason Ryan to the position are premature.
A team of Ryan and former Kilkenny goalkeeper McGarry as coach was touted over the past 10 days. Both in Waterford and Wexford the possibility of Ryan switching codes has been dampened with Wexford chairman Ger Doyle making it clear his county want Ryan to stay in charge of the footballers.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
