With over six months to go to their crucial Munster semi final, Davy Fitzgerald is already turning up the heat on his sideline opponent next June, Michael Ryan. Over the weekend he added spice to an already high stakes championship fixture by defending his record with Waterford.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Fitzgerald felt the need to clear up any question marks surrounding their ability to compete with the top teams in the country during his tenure. “One thing I’m really proud of is that we managed to keep them in the top four and win a Munster title with a squad that went through a lot of changes. We brought in over 20 new players. A lot of them have played championship. I’m very happy the way we left Waterford. I found it funny to hear Michael Ryan saying Waterford need to be more consistent – the only way they can be any more consistent is if they win the All Ireland and best of luck to him with that. If they do that I’ll be the first to say well done.” While reviving the fortunes of his native county is now close to his heart, Waterford never remains far from his mind.
Fitzgerald clearly took issue with quotes attributed to Michael Ryan after his appointment as Déise boss. At a press briefing Ryan was pressed about the missing ingredient preventing the county from attaining that elusive Liam McCarthy cup in recent years. “I just don’t think we have done enough, I’m not blaming anybody for that we just need to do a bit more. Maybe we lacked a bit of consistency. We have played some fantastic hurling over the years but we probably didn’t do it three or four games in a row.” While this comment wasn’t aimed directly at Fitzgerald, and Ryan has been careful not to step on the toes of previous managements, it obviously stung the former Clare goalkeeper to respond in the manner he did.
The two newly installed managers could be set for an early collision course in the Waterford Crystal League. Clare face up to WIT in late January and if they come through that test, Limerick await in the quarter final. On the same side of the draw Waterford take on UCC at home in their last eight clash. If both teams emerge a tasty spring starter in the form of a semi final comes onto the horizon ahead of the main course. There is also the possibility of that game being held in Fitzgerald’s home patch of Sixmilebridge where Waterford chiselled out a one point win in this year’s competition.
June 17 remains the date to the forefront of their thoughts even in the depths of December. Negotiating that hurdle reaps the reward of a Munster final place and a guaranteed spot in the All Ireland quarter finals avoiding the qualifier puzzle. These close season skirmishes may be an indication of the summer fireworks to follow.
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