Hurling & Camogie

Davy Fitzgerald expected to be ratified as Antrim hurling manager

The former Clare goalkeeper most recently took the Waterford hurlers and has won one All-Ireland as a manager with his home county of Clare

Darren Gleeson (left) and Davy Fitzgerald disagree over a sideline ball decision during Saturday's epic drawn tie Picture: Seamus Loughran.
Darren Gleeson (left) and Davy Fitzgerald disagree over a sideline ball decision during Saturday's epic drawn tie Picture: Seamus Loughran. Darren Gleeson (left) and Davy Fitzgerald disagree over a sideline ball decision during Saturday's epic drawn tie Picture: Seamus Loughran.

DAVY Fitzgerald is expected to be named as the new Antrim hurling manager at a meeting on Monday night.

As first reported by The Irish News, it represents a high-profile coup for the Saffrons.

He will replace Darren Gleeson, who stepped down last month after five years in charge.

Fitzgerald relinquished his own position in Waterford at the start of July after two years in charge.



He had struggled to replicate his managerial breakthrough with the Deise when he took them to an All-Ireland final from nowhere in 2008.

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The former Clare goalkeeper went on to guide his native county to the Liam MacCarthy in 2013, spending five years there in total before the same in Wexford.

Having won a first Leinster title for 15 years, they had 14-man Tipperary on the rack in the 2019 semi-final but let slip their best chance.

Davy Fitzgerald has been one of the most colourful characters in Gaelic Games
Davy Fitzgerald has been one of the most colourful characters in Gaelic Games

His two-year return to Waterford saw them fail to get out of the group stage in Munster either season.

A meeting with clubs has been called for 8pm on Monday night at the gym in Dunsilly, where it’s expected Fitzgerald will be ratified by clubs.

The make-up of his backroom team is not yet known but it had been rumoured that former Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash would join him on the ticket.