On Sunday Davy Fitzgerald brings Waterford to his home parish of Sixmilebridge and a club with which he won six county titles, two Munster titles and an All Ireland club. Despite all of this success his return will evoke mixed emotions among locals. A warm welcome is by no means guaranteed.
The good times rolled in the nineties especially in March 1996 when Sixmilebridge were crowned All Ireland champions after defeating Dunloy of Antrim in the final. In a golden period for the club they also won six county championships between 1989 and 2002 and two Munster titles in 1996 and 2000. Fitzgerald was a central figure in those glory days along with the likes of Niall Gilligan. Relations soured however in late 2004 when he and Sean Stack went head to head to manage the Sixmilebridge senior side. Stack was seeking reappointment and stood as a popular figure around the Bridge and a legend for both club and county in the seventies and eighties. At a dramatic AGM Davy came out on top in a divisive battle. Despite these tribulations Davy remains proud of his roots and stated this when he featured in a Laochra Gael documentary five years ago. “I’m a Bridge man and I will always be that way no matter what the story is. Whether they like it or don’t like it that’s the way I see it and I would be passionate about that.”
If the former Clare number one is to triumph over his native county on Sunday, last weekend’s stuttering display against Cork IT will need to be banished. Quite surprisingly Fitzgerald could call upon eight of the team that started last year’s All Ireland semi final. So depleted were the numbers primarily due to injury and college commitments that Michael Walsh made himself available after only celebrating his wedding day two weeks ago. After a lethargic opening half, which forced Davy to abandon his position in the stand, Waterford eventually got the better of the students. Richie Foley emerged as star of the show with 1-8 to his name but while he embraced the challenge others missed the boat. For Maurice Shanahan his red card for a wild pull is likely to result in him missing out on valuable game time to stake his claim for the summer blockbusters. Shane Casey will rue his missed goal opportunities and will seek improvement this week on a display which failed to yield a score.
Darragh Fives, Chris Ryan and Gavin Crotty were the only three who started on Sunday that didn’t feature on the 2010 panel. Crotty, one of Dungarvan’s star performers in last year’s club championship, gained an early second half point to begin the comeback. In the half back line Fives, fresh from the minor ranks, could also be pleased with his display and corner back Chris Ryan recovered from his early difficulties with Tony Murphy.
Clare struggled for long stages against IT Tralee in round one but upped their game considerably to defeat Limerick IT, another team under the guidance of Davy Fitzgerald, last weekend. The production line of young talent continues with corner forward Conor McGrath the latest to catch the eye. Ger O’Loughlin takes charge for a second season but needs to find leaders to guide his inexperienced side. Ger Loughnane touched on this point in a recent radio interview criticising Tony Griffin and Tony Carmody for continuing their self imposed exile from the Banner camp. The loss of Brian O’Connell to emigration is another experienced player O’Loughlin can’t call upon.
In terms of team selection Clare are likely to field experienced players such as Philip Brennan, Colin Ryan and Diarmuid McMahon along with newcomers Mark Earley, Liam Markham, Danny Morey and Conor McGrath who are all relishing their exposure in pre season. Fitzgerald’s room for experiment is more limited and he will welcome back Shane O’Sullivan and Eoin McGrath for this clash. Home advantage and the momentum of two victories in the Banner sails should see them over the line here. The chance to topple Davy for the second week in succession on his home turf is too good to turn down.
Waterford Crystal Semi Final
Clare v Waterford 30/1/11
Throw in 3.00 at Sixmilebridge
Referee: John Ryan (Tipperary)
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