Finding Davy successor is 'going to take time', insists Déise chair O'Regan

Waterford County Board chairman, Sean Michael O’Regan has thanked Davy Fitzgerald for his work with the senior hurlers for the last two years.

Déise county board chairman Sean Michael O'Regan has asked for patience as they seek a successor to Davy Fitzgerald for 2025. 

The executive were in talks with the Clare man about a third year in charge of the Waterford hurlers until Tuesday night.

"There's no Plan B," he told WLR's Déise Today show when asked if there was a replacement lined up. 

"Why would you have a Plan B when you're working through a process? Now, the process changes. Davy has decided to step down. We will set up a selection committee as we always have and we will do that as openly, as honestly and as quickly as we possibly can. 

"There's names after being thrown around already. Each of those are good hurling people and can bring something to the table but who knows how many of them are absolutely interested when you consider the time, the travel and the family commitments. 

"This is going to take time. We'll work our way through it. A selection committee will be put in place and we will work as hard and as quickly as we possibly can to get the right person."

The answer could lie close to home. 

Former boss Derek McGrath led Waterford to the 2017 All-Ireland final as well the 2015 National Hurling League title. 

They also appeared in three All Ireland semi finals and two Munster finals during his five-year tenure. He is currently involved with Limerick club Doon.

Will Ken McGrath step up from his current post as under-20 bainsteoir? His backroom team includes Dan Shanahan, Kevin Moran and Andy Moloney. 

Another ex-player Peter Queally, selector under Davy Fitzgerald for the past two seasons, has applied for the role previously. 

He steered Passage to the county title in 2013 and brought Abbeyside and Roanmore to finals.

Sean Power won All-Ireland minor and under-21 titles with the Déise. Austin Gleeson, Stephen Bennett, Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran were all part of those successful teams. The Mount Sion native also guided the Waterford camogie team to their first All-Ireland final in 78 years.

Current Ballygunner manager Darragh O'Sullivan boasts an All-Ireland club trophy from 2022 as well as three Munster championships in a row. The Gunners will seek eleven county titles on the trot this summer.

Others have ventured outside the county to gain experience. Cappoquin man Donal O'Rourke will be on the sideline in Croke Park on Sunday. 

He has served as head coach with the Cork hurlers for the past two seasons. The former Waterford goalkeeper also helped the Galway camogie team to All Ireland glory in 2021.

Elsewhere in the province, 1998 Hurler of the Year Tony Browne is part of Liam Cahill's coaching team in Tipperary. Former captain Stephen Molumphy recently completed a three-year stint as Kerry hurling manager alongside fellow county men Shane Briggs and Pat Bennett. 

He also served as selector with Waterford and Wexford. His new role with the EU military staff in Brussels may rule him out, however.

The Waterford senior hurling championship throws in on July 19 so Déise fans will be keeping their eyes peeled for clues over the coming weeks.