Waterford job attracts four nominees

Outgoing manager Davy Fitzgerald faces competition from three fellow nominees for the position of Waterford senior hurling manager.

Kilkenny's 1993 All-Ireland winning captain Eddie O'Connor has been nominated for the role, along with Fitzgerald, current De La Salle manager Michael Ryan and former Carlow boss Jim Greene.

O'Connor has coached Waterford clubs De La Salle and Ballyduff and is keen to break into inter-county management, while Greene, a Mount Sion stalwart, battled it out with Justin McCarthy in previous years for the Deise job.

Fitzgerald, whose two-year tenure came to an end following last month's All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat to Tipperary, is also eager to remain in charge.

Although Fitzgerald was criticised in some quarters for losing the tactical battle against Tipp, Waterford's Munster title-winning captain Stephen Molumphy would like to see the Clare man reappointed.

"He is, in my book, the man to continue at the helm. In the years he has been here, he has done one hell of a fine job," he told the Waterford News & Star.

"Remember that we only lost only three competitive games in League and Championship this year.

"In total we played 15 competitive games in 2010, winning the Waterford Crystal Cup and then of course the Munster Championship.

"We have beaten all of the top teams - Tipperary, Kilkenny, Cork included - in either the League or Championship, and in fact the only team we have not beaten in the Championship under Fitzgerald's watch is Kilkenny.

"He has my total support. I really don't think the County Board should look beyond him for the job in the coming year."

A four-man sub committee, led by Chairman Tom Cunningham, has been set up to interview the four nominees for the manager's position over the next week.

They will make their recommendation to the Waterford County Board meeting on October 11, during which delegates will be asked to make the final decision.