Fitzgerald appointed to Waterford hurling post

Just five days after Justin McCarthy stepped down as Waterford senior hurling manager, former Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald has been appointed to take over the Deise hurlers for the remainder of their championship campaign.

Fitzgerald has been given the post until the end of the season, when the position will then be reviewed.

At a meeting last night in Dungarvan, the executive of the Waterford County Board recommended Fitzgerald as manager. The Sixmilebridge man then had his appointment unanimously approved by delegates.

The recently retired Clare net minder, who won three All-Star awards, will have a formidable backroom team behind him, as he attempts to pick up the pieces following Waterford's crushing Munster championship defeat to his native Banner last Sunday week.

Former Waterford hurler Peter Queally and Maurice Geary, the manager of reigning Waterford SHC champions Ballyduff Upper, have both been ratified as selectors, while Gerry Fitzpatrick will continue to train Waterford.

Speaking on RTÉ's 'The Sunday Game' programme on Sunday night, Fitzgerald hinted of his interest in the Waterford post.

"If the Waterford chairman rang me tonight I'd have to say that I would think about it," Fitzgerald enthused.

"Naturally enough you just couldn't dismiss something straight out like that. You would have to think about it.

"I've a lot of other commitments and things like that but whatever happens in the future happens."

And the 36-year-old also gave his full support to the Waterford players.

"They have received a lot of bad press during the week, and while they have received that let's not forget they have given us a lot of entertainment over the last few years as well.

"Maybe there is more behind the scenes than we have heard about.

Justin was incredible for the seven years that he was there.

He added: "In fairness those players deserve a little bit of a breather as well. The players know that they have to stand up and be counted now.

"I have no doubt that those players will stand up and give a good account of themselves in the rest of the championship."

Meanwhile, in a show of solidarity with former manager Justin McCarthy, the Waterford players issued a statement last night thanking the outgoing manager and expressing regret that the relationship between both parties collapsed to the extent that it did.

Although this will be his first stint as a senior inter-county manager, Fitzgerald is no stranger to patrolling the sidelines.

He guided Limerick IT to three Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup finals in recent years. LIT were victorious in 2005 and 2007, before losing out to Waterford IT after extra-time in this year's decider.

Fitzgerald has also been heavily involved in managing teams at his own club Sixmilebridge, from the juvenile to senior ranks.