Davy Fitz the frontrunner for Clare hurling’s top job

When one door shuts, another opens and that old adage is certainly holding true in Davy Fitzgerald’s case.
His departure as Waterford hurling manager after a three year reign will become official by the weekend, casting him in the role as the front runner for the vacant Clare job.
Fitzgerald met with officials of the Waterford County Board last weekend and will make an official announcement of his departure over the next few days. Neither his Waterford exit nor his ambition to assume the mantle in Clare was entirely unexpected.
A meeting of the County GAA Board is scheduled for September 13 and the expectation is that finding a successor to Ger O’Loughlin as Clare hurling manager will be broached on the night.
Courted by officials of the Galway County Board in recent weeks, Fitzgerald had a relatively successful stint in Waterford. He was a surprise choice after a player revolt resulted in the shock departure of Justin McCarthy in 2008.
Within months of assuming control, Waterford’s fortunes experienced a remarkable turnaround. Later that season they qualified for their first All-Ireland final appearance in almost 40 years, but were comprehensively beaten by Kilkenny.
During his reign, he guided Waterford to three Munster finals, winning the title in 2010, while they firmly established themselves as a top four team in the country. In those three years their championship elimination came at the hands of either Tipperary or Kilkenny.
Already the rumour mill is at full throttle with speculation as to who is likely to be involved were Fitzgerald to get the endorsement of club delegates as the new Clare hurling manager.
Brian Lohan, coach to Patrickswell, surprise victors over the Tony Considine trained Kilmallock in last weeend’s Limerick championship quarter-final, is being touted as is Mike Deegan who managed Cratloe to a first ever senior title two years ago.
Louis Mulqueen, a highly respected physical trainer, who has worked previously with Clare teams under Ger Loughnane and Cyril Lyons, could also come under pressure to rejoin the Clare set up.