Davy aims to keep Clare among the best

 

Clare hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald has never denied that he wants to win every game, be it challenge, tournament or championship.

So it didn’t come as any surprise when he said “our main goal is to stay in division 1 and to win as many games as we can” when asked about the 2013 Hurling League.

Now in his second year as Clare manager he said, “When we came in we were playing teams from Laois, Antrim, Wexford, Offaly, Carlow and we were struggling in a lot of those games. I’d like to think that we have come up a level from that but we have a nice bit to go”.

“We are not going to change things overnight,” said the All-Star goalkeeper. “Galway and Limerick have had more success than Clare at minor and U-21 levels and haven’t achieved. It’s how we harness the talent we have after winning at underage that is important”.

“We have to come out of this illusion that is there about Clare. We have good players but that does not guarantee success as we have seen. I am happy we have a good young panel and we have to stay working hard.”

There is no hiding his excitement about the up-coming league campaign.

“We will be playing the big guns in what is, without doubt, a most competitive group. I am delighted to be in that company as that is where we need to be and we need to stay in that company but that is going to be a very big task,” he warned.

“Remember, Waterford, who were Munster champions just two years ago, (Fitzgerald was their manager then) are a very experienced team. Eleven of the players I had in that team are still there and the young players I brought in are really maturing now. That will be a very stiff opening test for us,” the two-time All-Ireland medal winner said.

“We follow that up with a game against Galway, who really fancy themselves this year. After that we have to face Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary. It’s an absolutely unreal competitive group but I am delighted that we are in that company,” according to Fitzgerald.

For the moment Davy’s real focus is on the opening game against Waterford that is set for Cusack Park on February 24.

“The first round is most important. We know we are up against a strong Waterford team and we know that a good start is half the battle,” said Fitzgerald, who managed the Decies outfit for four seasons.

Will the fact that the counties will again meet in the championship influence how he will approach the opening league tie.

“We are not thinking about the championship? We will worry about the championship when the league campaign is over. The league is a massive days work for us.”

Crusheen’s Cian Dillon will be an absentee for the league campaign due to injury while Conor McGrath will miss most of the campaign.

“Darach Honan is on the way back but may miss the first round or two. Most of the lads are there and we have added a few young fellas and we will be hoping to blood some of these in the coming weeks. To date, everyone on the panel has played three to four games. We want to give them all a chance to impress.”

Agreeing that there is very little between any of the teams Clare will face in the league, he acknowledged that Kilkenny are always strong.

“Galway have aspirations after the disappointment of the All-Ireland last year. Cork have the nucleus of a very good team, so have Tipperary and Waterford are still very strong. Our focus is on the opening round against Waterford and that’s what we are getting ready for right now.”

Clare’s league programme
Sunday, February 24, at home to Waterford
Sunday, March 10, at home to Galway
Saturday, March 16, away to Cork
Sunday, March 24, at home to Kilkenny
Sunday, March 31, away to Tipperary