Davy Fitzgerald set for Clare exit

Clare County Board were last night in talks with Davy Fitzgerald as he prepared to step down as manager after five years. It is understood a number of phone-calls took place between chairman Joe Cooney and Fitzgerald, who is currently holidaying in South Carolina.

As things stand, Fitzgerald is still expected to announce his departure in the next day or two. However, the Sixmilebridge man was persuaded by Cooney not to make any decision until he discussed the situation with him. Clare officials also met last night in the wake of yesterday’s report the 2013 All-Ireland winning manager was set to step away having been appointed in October 2011. Fitzgerald had asked his players to discuss the direction of the group, which they did on Tuesday night.

The 45-year-old, who has been in the US since Friday, had hinted to players in the dressing room following the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Galway he was going to step away.