Antrim enthusiasm has Davy excited for next challenge

25 February 2024; Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A match between Cork and Waterford at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Davy Fitzgerald has insisted that he will "give it everything" as he embarks on his latest challenge as Antrim senior hurling boss.

Former Waterford, Clare and Wexford manager Fitzgerald has been appointed for an initial two years, with the option of a third.

“I didn’t expect anything to really happen. I can’t help people with rumours," Fitzgerald told the Irish Independent. "The only thing I can deal with is fact, and when the Antrim chairman Séamus McMullan and a few lads came to meet me, I said I’d meet because I have a lot of friends up there.

“I didn’t think I was going to do it but when I met them and spent a few hours with them, their enthusiasm and ideas, they wanted me to think a bit outside the box if I can. There was a lot of different stuff happening and it excited me. It was something different.”

He continued: “Darren Gleeson did a very good job. There is still a bit of inconsistency between home and away form and there might be a few downs before there are ups. 

"But all I can do is go in and do my best. I am not going to put pressure on myself. I’m going up to give it everything and see can I help a bit."

On the eight-hour round trip to Antrim from his Clare home, Fitzgerald - who previously noted travel as a difficulty - said it is only something that gets on top of him "every now and again".

“The journey is the only factor that caused me a problem. I finished in Wexford because of the travel but it was five years in a row,” he said.

“I don’t really mind driving but it just gets on top of you every now and again. After a while you’d be grand again.”

On leaving the Déise set-up - now headed up by Peter Queally - Fitzgerald added: “Everyone will try and make up reasons as to why I left Waterford. It doesn’t really matter why. It’s only my call, which I am entitled to make."