Wexford set promotion target for Davy Fitzgerald

New Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald was the unanimous choice of the six-person committee charged with finding the Model County’s next boss, and has been set a target of achieving promotion from Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.

The appointment of Fitzgerald, who stepped down from the top job in his native Clare a fortnight ago, was confirmed last night at a special meeting of the Wexford County Board at the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy.

Replacing Liam Dunne, who was in charge for the last five years, and had been interviewed for the role, Fitzgerald has been given a three-year term, with a review to take place after the second year. Former Cork manager Denis Walsh had also been in the running to take over the Slaneysiders.

The management selection committee of county chairman Diarmuid Devereux, secretary Margaret Doyle, Dermot Howlin, Philip Howlin, George Foley and John Conran had met Fitzgerald in Portlaoise on Thursday, and he had provisionally accepted the role then, pending board approval.

A statement declared the committee had “interviewed many contenders for the role during the previous two weeks, and were impressed by Fitzgerald… he was their unanimous choice as new Wexford manager”.

The appointment is for a three-year term, with a review after year two.

“I am really excited about this opportunity with Wexford, and I was honoured to be asked to accept the job. It’s a new challenge for me, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Fitzgerald was quoted as saying.

Devereux said: “I welcome Davy to county Wexford.

“He is an ideal fit for our young senior hurling squad, and I am excited about the prospects for the future.

“The initial aim will be for Wexford to move from Division 1B of the National Hurling League up to Division 1A, and then to build on that.”

It is understood that two Wexford natives, including a former player and ex-underage coach, will join Fitzgerald while he is also tipped to add two men he has previously worked with at inter-county level to his package, but not Dónal Óg Cusack.

Cusack has been touted instead for Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor’s ticket, which is running against Anthony Daly as the race intensifies for the Clare post Fitzgerald recently vacated.

It is understood Moloney and O’Connor are also hoping to secure Clare’s 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland winning centre-back Seanie McMahon as a selector.