Davy Fitzgerald has confirmed he is stepping down as manager of the Clare Senior Hurling team.
Fitzgerald has resigned on the back of a season that saw Clare win fifteen out of seventeen outings. Both of their defeats in 2016 were in the championship as they fell down to Waterford and Galway.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening the three time All-Star spoke of the privilege it was to serve as manager of the team, he indicated that it was entirely his decision to walk away despite a mixed response from the panel of his future. He paid tribute to all involved in the set-up while expressing his view that there will be silverware for this squad in the near future.
The statement in full reads. “One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to manage the Clare Senior Hurling team and I am immensely proud of the success achieved during my time at the helm”.
“After this year’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Galway, I was undecided about my future and I indicated to as much to the players in the dressing room post-match.
“In the weeks that followed, I asked the Joint Captains to ascertain the opinions of the wider panel on whether they would like a change of voice. In light of the ensuing meeting and the divided opinions expressed by players, I have decided that it would be in the best interests of Clare hurling that I step down from the role of manager.
“I will cherish the memory of seeing so many happy Clare faces when in 2013 we won what was only the County’s fourth All-Ireland title and again in Thurles last May when we were crowned National League Champions for the first time in 38 years. The Clare players were heroes on both days and it is my belief they will lift Liam McCarthy in the near future.
“I was not asked to step down. The decision is entirely my own. In taking this decision however I wish to reaffirm my absolute love and passion for Clare hurling”.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the respective backroom teams which have served alongside me for the past five seasons. It was a pleasure to work with people of the highest calibre. I want to thank the Clare County Board for their tremendous support, Pat O’Donnell for his constant and generous sponsorship and support, and the players for being a key part of my life over the past five years.
“I want to thank the supporters and acknowledge the many people who travelled great distances to support their county.
“I leave the Clare job with a heavy heart but full of confidence that there will be further great hurling days for the Banner County” Fitzgerald concluded.
Prior to his arrival Clare were on the back of a disappointing 2011 season which concluded with a seventeen point defeat to Galway in the qualifier series. Ironically his last match in charge was against the Tribesmen where six points was the margin in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
A winner of two All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships as a player, Davy was criticised for failing to win a championship tie in 2015 and 2016.
He became only the third man to manage the County to All-Ireland glory as the Banner County claimed the Liam McCarthy for the fourth time ever in 2013. This year his charges claimed the National Hurling League ending a thirty eight year drought.
On Monday of this week a players meeting took place at The Inn at Dromoland. The majority of players voiced their backing for the Sixmilebridge man to remain in charge but he has announced his decision to walk away whilst on holidays in Las Vegas.