Davy Fitzgerald has been appointed as Senior Hurling team Manager for a two-year term with an option of a third year.
The Sixmilebridge native – an All-Ireland winner as a player and manager of his native Clare – has succeeded Darren Gleeson as bainisteoir of the ambitious Glensmen.
Passionate and charismatic, ‘Davy Fitz’ plans to raise the profile of Antrim hurling and to develop structures and improve standards throughout the county.
A fierce competitor, he has a proven track record of success.
During his 18-season playing career with the Banner county, three-time All-star Fitzgerald won three Munster Championship titles and Liam MacCarthy glory in 1995 and 1997.
Antrim county board chairperson Séamus McMullan said “we’re delighted to announce the appointment of Davy Fitzgerald.”
“Davy brings a wealth of experience to the role. His vision, drive and determination is a perfect fit with the ambition of our playing panel.
“We are confident, too, that Davy will bring the very best out of the emerging hurling talent that is present within our County.
“We are committed to further developing our underage structures in Antrim and welcome Davy’s interest in contributing to that – that is an exciting prospect for our young hurlers and their clubs.
“On behalf of the clubs of Antrim, we wish Davy the very best and look forward to working with him and his team.”
Fitzgerald was also an All-Ireland winner with his club Sixmilebridge. The Clare and Munster champions beat Dunloy in the 1996 final and the popular ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’ coach has retained links with the Antrim outfit since.
He has taken the club for training sessions and has also had occasional input in coaching Antrim minor sides over the years.
When the curtain finally came down on his playing days, Fitzgerald moved into management and the former goalkeeper has managed an inter-county side for 16 of the last 17 seasons.
His one year out of the caman code was filled by managing the Cork camogie team.
He began with Waterford in 2008 and guided the Deise (who included his predecessor Darren Gleeson in their panel) to the All-Ireland final – the county’s first in 45 years – in his first season.
He went on to propel the Deise to a Munster title in 2010 before he returned to the West to take over as manager of his native Clare.
Once again he had an immediate impact. Promotion to the top flight was achieved in his first season and in his second he drove the Bannermen to the Liam MacCarthy decider against Cork.
The first game finished drawn and Fitzgerald made an inspired personnel change for the replay by starting teenager Shane O’Donnell who repaid his faith by scoring a quickfire hat-trick to inspire the county to their fourth-ever All-Ireland title.
In 2017 Fitzgerald took over as Wexford manager and again his arrival had the desired effect. The Yellowbellies reached a first Leinster final in nine years that season and two years later beat Kilkenny to claim the crown.
Fitzgerald returned to Waterford for the past two seasons and brought the county to the brink of success.
However, Waterford lost a breathless Munster Championship battle with Clare at a packed Cusack Park by a point and, after a subsequent loss to Limerick, the Deise failed to make it to the All-Ireland knockout stage.
After a period of deliberation, Fitzgerald decided to step down even though he had another year left of his original agreement.
“From where we got them from two years ago, I think we have come on a ton,” he said.
“We were very unlucky that we didn’t go forward in the Championship. I think we played some great stuff and the lads were incredible and gave me everything.
“The lads showed unbelievable resilience. You would have heard different things, that they are a tough bunch to work with and will they stand up to the pressure? They did all of the above.”
However, Fitzgerald (53) hinted that he could return to the inter-county fray at some point.
“I’m young enough,” he said.
“It seems like I have been around a while, I managed very young. Never say never.”
His switch to Antrim was rumoured even before his year’s All-Ireland hurling final and Fitzgerald will now bring his passion and insistence on total commitment to bear on an Antrim side that showcased their potential with wins over Wexford and Carlow in the Leinster Championship last year.
