Mark Fitzgerald: 'We need to take more ownership, as players'
Mark Fitzgerald of Waterford during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship match between Cork and Waterford. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The Waterford hurlers have resolved to take more ownership of their own performances as they bid to right the wrongs of 2023.
Five losses in a row, without scoring a goal, put paid to the Déise’s League and Championship hopes before a dead-rubber victory over Tipperary concluded their summer on a brighter note.
It was a year that saw much criticism directed at the team and their manager Davy Fitzgerald but such external noise is being blocked out.
Instead, defender Mark Fitzgerald says the focus is on their internal season debrief, with more responsibility placed on players to dictate their standards rather than looking to the sideline.
“If he (Davy) wants to give out to us, he'll give out to us, but he's putting more of an onus on us as a group of players,” said the 20-year-old at the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League launch.
“We're trying to drive things on now as a group of players instead of leaning on the management.
“We need to take more ownership, as players. Maybe we didn't do enough of that last year.
“With Davy last year, it's probably one of the most professional set-ups I've ever been in. It's run, like, pristine. Unbelievable.
“As a group, we back Davy 100%. We're always going to back him, making sure that we get the best out of him so that he can get the best out of us.”
Waterford legend Ken McGrath, who has since been appointed the county’s U20 manager, criticised the coaching as “absolutely shocking” and said he didn’t understand the tactics being employed after losing heavily to Clare.
When Mark Fitzgerald was asked about comments by former players, he replied: “You have to block that stuff out. Whatever is being said in the media, it's not true, and it's all about what we're saying in the group.”
He offers his own analysis of how the year unravelled: “I think there were a couple of different things.
“That loss against Limerick, we knew afterwards that we were right in it and that we had a chance to upset things.
“We felt that we threw that away ourselves. We definitely felt that we should have won that game. I wouldn't say we lost it from there but to throw that away and then follow it with a bad performance against Cork, that didn't help.
“When things didn't go our way against Cork, I wouldn't say we lost hope or belief, but things just didn't go to plan for us then as a group.
“Then getting a man sent off early against Clare, little things just didn't go our way.
“It was disappointing. We didn't get as much out of it (2023) as we could have. We're working on stuff now that will hopefully improve things for next year.”
Unlike last season, Limerick will be their final-round opposition instead of first-up. That could make a difference as Fitzgerald relates the challenge of putting together back-to-back performances when facing the All-Ireland champions.
“You probably do have to empty yourself physically. They're an unbelievable side to try and beat.
“You could see it during the Championship that teams who play them might then have a small dip in performance the next week.
“The Munster Championship is probably the best championship there is and it's hard to keep it going week after week.
“We're there or thereabouts every year, we just can't get over the line. We're hoping to change that next year and push on in the All-Ireland series.”
For Fitzgerald personally, it was a breakthrough year. Despite missing a few important training sessions and a warm-weather camp in Portugal due to his involvement with the county’s U20s, he played every minute of the seniors’ Championship campaign.
That made him one of only five players to do so alongside Billy Nolan, Jack Fagan, Darragh Lyons, and Stephen Bennett. (Dessie Hutchinson was also there for all bar a temporary blood-sub withdrawal.) The Passage player, who is studying woodwork teaching at UL, reckons the consolation of signing off by beating Tipperary with an improved performance could prove more important as they enter 2024.
“It was massive for the group. It gives us hope and a bit of drive for next year. A bit of inspiration.” They have lost Austin Gleeson for now, with experienced defenders Shane McNulty and Conor Gleeson also opting out. Iarlaith Daly’s involvement is doubtful due to study commitments while his brother Carthach is rehabilitating from a cruciate ligament injury.
Asked about Austin Gleeson’s absence, Fitzgerald said the 2016 Hurler of the Year would be missed but added there’s healthy competition to take his place.
“Within the group, he's a massive loss. He's one of the main characters in the dressing room.
“We have players coming up, the likes of myself, Paudie Fitz, and Patrick Fitz, younger players to take his position and drive the thing on as well.
“The younger lads are probably some of the main leaders in the dressing room next year.”
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