Fitzgerald calls time on Clare career

Legendary Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald has reportedly announced his retirement from senior inter-county hurling, two months before the Banner's Munster championship clash with Waterford.

Fitzgerald, one of the best goalkeepers of the modern era, informed the Clare management and his team-mates of his decision after training last night.

Last October, the 36-year-old had to have the top of his ring finger severed after sustaining a serious injury playing for Sixmilebridge in a club game against Crusheen.

He made a brave attempt to make a return at inter-county level in recent weeks, but it now seems that the finger injury has forced him to call it a day.

Fitzgerald ended his 18-month absence from the Clare team earlier this month when he lined out against Kilkenny in a game to mark the switching on of Sixmilebridge's new floodlights.

He rejoined the Clare set-up this season, after discussing a return with the team's new manager Mike McNamara.

The two-time All-Ireland SHC winner infamously quit the panel in January of last year after personal disagreements with then boss Tony Considine.

He made his senior debut for Clare in February 1989 in a league match against Down, and his championship bow followed in the summer of 1990 against Limerick.

As well as the two All-Ireland wins in 1995 and 1997, Fitzgerald won three Munster titles (1995, 1997 and 1998) and three All-Star awards (1995, 2002 and 2005).

He was also twice an Interprovincial championship winner with Munster and was crowned All-Ireland Poc Fada champion in both 1999 and 2002.

Fitzgerald's last championship appearance, his 60th in all, was in Clare's 2006 All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kilkenny.

His decision to quit means he will not be able to equal or better Christy Ring's record of 64 championship appearances.

After inspiring Limerick IT to Fitzgibbon Cup success in both 2005 and 2007, the experienced net-minder could turn his focus to inter-county management in the seasons ahead.

He leaves the Clare goalkeeping position in the capable hands of Tulla clubman Philip Brennan, who took over for the 2007 championship. Last year's Clare Under-21 captain Patrick Kelly is also a 'keeper of some repute.