Fitzgerald would like to manage Clare 'at some stage'

Davy Fitzgerald gave very little away when asked about his managerial future in an interview broadcast on RTÉ Two last night.

Fitzgerald's fourth year in charge of Waterford was brought to a conclusion by last Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat to Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Speaking after the game, he said he would take his time over deciding whether to continue as Déise boss for another term.

The former Clare goalkeeper has been linked with the manager's position in his native county, with his former team-mate Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin having stepped down last month.

Asked on 'The Committee Room' programme if he is interested in the Clare role, Fitzgerald explained: "Whenever the time arises, you'd like to do it. You're only ever from one place and you play for them.

"At some stage or another, whether it be next year or five years down the line, you'd like to think that you would get an opportunity to do it."

If Fitzgerald does become the next Clare senior hurling manager, he would be the third member of the Banner's 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland winning sides to take on the job since 2003 - following in the footsteps of Anthony Daly and O'Loughlin.

Although Waterford have qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final in each of the past four seasons and won the Munster title in 2010, Fitzgerald has had to deal with regular criticism of his management of the team.

Invited to comment about the media appraisals of him, he took the opportunity to single out three of his harshest critics - former Tipperary manager Michael 'Babs' Keating and selector John Leahy, and ex-Clare selector Tony Considine, who currently writes for the Irish Examiner.

"Criticism is funny, there are two or three elements. Number one, you have the written media. In fairness, there are times you deserve it and you have to take it. Certainly, I would think they're balanced enough," said Fitzgerald.

"The second part, I've heard that 'Babs' and John Leahy have had a go at me. I suppose I know where that comes from...where once upon a time I said Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly shouldn't have been dropped (in 2007) and they're getting their chance to have a go at me.

"Lastly, the funniest part of all, you've the likes of Tony Considine, an ex-selector with us (Clare), and he'd be writing a lot of stuff. I actually laugh a lot about this one because Tony probably never played senior hurling with county or club and he's never managed a team to do anything.

"When people say to me, 'Tony's had a cut (at you)', I just say, ‘oh, alright’, and have a good giggle. It doesn't really bother me."