Board chair to meet with Davy

CLARE GAA County Board chairman Joe Cooney will meet with senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald in the coming days, to find out if the Sixmilebridge man intends staying in his post for 2017.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Documentary on One last Saturday, Fitzgerald said he was unsure if he wanted to manage Clare for a sixth successive season. “I honestly don’t know what I want to do,” he told documentary maker Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh. “Last year I knew 100% what I wanted to do. I could stay with Clare, I could take a year out. I could see myself managing someone else because I love hurling so much and want to do something different and help someone different. I’m a bit confused at the moment.”

Speaking to The Clare Champion on Tuesday, Joe Cooney confirmed that talks are due to take place. “Davy has another year on his contract. I will be talking to him over the next number of days. He is reflecting on it and he is making up his mind at the moment. We have left him alone to do that and we will be talking to him in due course,” the county board chairman stated.

“I don’t know to be quite honest,” he replied when asked if Fitzgerald was likely to remain in place.
The next county board meeting will take place in mid-September. “We took a break for the summer. We’re back on September 13,” he revealed.

Davy Fitzgerald told The Clare Champion he is not commenting on the matter at the moment.

Cooney also confirmed that talks are due to take place with Clare senior football manager Colm Collins, who is at the end of his current agreement.

“I spoke with Colm after the Kerry game in Croke Park. I spoke to him the week after that. He was tied up with his club team in the championship and was going on holidays. He is to come back to me when he is ready and we will sit down and talk,” he explained.

By Peter O’Connell