Inside Track with John McIntyre

WHETHER you’re a fan or not of Davy Fitzgerald, nobody can dispute the reality that he’s mad for road. Within days of stepping down as coach to the Cork camogie team, the former Banner goalkeeper is off on his managerial travels again – this time, however, he will be returning to an old stomping ground.

Fitzgerald, a fearless competitor between the posts, was one of the lynchpins of Clare’s long-awaited and emotional All-Ireland triumphs in 1995 and ’97, but his profile has moved onto a different level over the past 15 years. Whether it’s through his management roles or TV shows like Ireland’s Fittest Family, he is rarely out of the limelight.

And that’s basically why some people don’t like him . . . they basically see too much of him. He was even added to the Sunday Game analysts panel this summer where he was something of a muted observer on hurling’s finer arts. Apart from the three counties – Kilkenny, Tipperary and Cork – who would never countenance an outsider, Fitzy is nearly linked with every managerial vacancy that crops up these days.

For a few days last winter, he looked the number one candidate to replace Shane O’Neill in Galway, but his bubble was burst somewhat when County Chairman Paul Bellew launched an audacious and successful attempt to entice Henry Shefflin west. Having just finished up with Wexford – a project which flatlined in his last two years in charge – Fitzy is clearly not one for standing still.

But why are some counties still inclined to swoon about the prospect of having Fitzy on board? For starters, he landed two Fitzgibbon Cups with Limerick IT before taking over as Waterford manager in mid-season in 2008 after the players revolted against Justin McCarthy. He guided the Deise to that year’s All-Ireland final only for them to suffer a humiliating 3-30 to 1-14 loss against Kilkenny.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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