Month: September 2021

WICKLOW HAVE TURNED to Davy Burke, Kildare’s All-Ireland U20 winning manager last year, to take charge of their senior football team on a three-year-term.

Burke was confirmed as the new Wicklow senior football supremo at a county board meeting tonight.

“Wicklow GAA are delighted to announce that Davy Burke has been ratified as the new Wicklow senior football manager on a three-year term at tonight’s County Board meeting,” a statement from Wicklow GAA reads.

The Confey man came to prominence in 2018 with his achievements while at the helm of the Kildare U20 footballers. He steered them to Leinster glory at the expense of Dublin, victory in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry and then a final success over Mayo in Croke Park.

Burke is currently in charge of the Sarsfields club in the Kildare senior football championship. They have an upcoming county semi-final date on Saturday 5 October against Celbridge.

The vacancy arose in Wicklow at the end of July when John Evans stepped away as manager after two years.

Wicklow GAA are delighted to announce that Davy Burke has been ratified as the new Wicklow Senior Football Manager on a three-year term at tonight’s County Board meeting. #WicklowGAA#Football pic.twitter.com/C06YxyViUL

— Official Wicklow GAA (@wicklowgaa) September 24, 2019

Wicklow lost out to Kildare in their Leinster opener this season by 0-15 to 1-10 before bowing out of the All-Ireland qualifier race at the first hurdle when defeated 0-15 to 0-13 by Leitrim.

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SEAMUS HICKEY HAS revealed that Peter Casey reached out to the Gaelic Players Association for support following last month’s social media controversy that forced him to take a drug test in order to clear his name.

A video recorded from an Instagram story showed a friend putting an object into Casey’s hand during a night out in a Galway pub and rumours began to swirl online that it was an illicit substance. 

The 22-year-old Limerick forward subsequently took a drug test and published the results, which came back negative for any traces of drugs in his system. He also clarified that his friend handed him change after purchasing a round of drinks, while providing CCTV footage to show that. 

“It translates how hurt Peter was, and Peter would have contacted us, and myself obviously,” said Hickey.

“We would have supported him as much as we possibly could with what we would have given him in terms of outlets for advice and action.”

GPA chief executive Paul Flynn explained yesterday that young inter-county players are being educated by the players’ body on the pitfalls of social media.

“It is a question of making players aware of the environment of social media,” says Hickey, the GPA chairman.

“At our rookie symposium, the first time this year, (it was) hugely important about educating players on what they’re getting themselves into and what sort of exposure they had.

“They’re constantly on watch. Everything you put on a social media platform is there and it’s in real-time. Yes, you might be able to take it back but there’s screenshots then and everything like that.

“The flip side of that then is that, yes, we reinforce things and make them aware, but then when things happen you’ve got vicious trolling, relentless sledging. It’s a really, really disheartening element of society that it’s there.

“Thankfully there’s really good initiatives, anti-bullying initiatives and online initiatives from a myriad of different places. It’s cross-sector, to try to tackle it, from artists to entertainment to sports players to people in the workforce, schools obviously with young people.

“This is happening, but from a players’ association we really have to wrap around our supports, our counselling, be a listening ear for players when they’re hurting.

“Especially when players are targeted after a missed score, or a foul in a game, that’s a really lonely place to be. You need your team, you need your family and for us then we need to be there and to offer a hand and to offer our support and that’s what we try to do.”

GPA chairman Seamus Hickey.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Meanwhile, the GPA are likely to table a motion at next year’s Congress calling for the GAA to review its current concussion management guidelines.

“I wouldn’t for a second like to think that the GAA don’t take this issue seriously but we would like to see it expedited,” explained former Limerick defender Hickey.

“There are procedures and protocols that you do have to go through to instigate changes like this, a dedicated change and we think there’s a basis for it.”

At the launch of the GPA’s annual report last Friday, Flynn revealed he had been concussed five times during his Dublin career, while Hickey admitted he “probably suffered undiagnosed concussions” while representing Limerick.

“I was just a sign of the times, I didn’t know a whole pile about it, I know that referees and officials and even medical staff probably weren’t as aware or conscious of it,” said Hickey, who retired from inter-county duty last year.

“For me, it’s hugely important. If you’re talking about legacy injuries after you’re finished, there’s no greater legacy than a brain injury and it’s something that in all contact sports. If you actually look across at the litigation side of things in American sports for concussion, it has significant and long-ranging consequences.

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“For us, because of the greater public awareness, the media awareness of it, that you’re watching a game and you’re seeing a guy groggy and concussed, it’s too easy to see it now and it’s actually too easy to recognise because people are far more aware of it.

“You have a duty of care to the player, a duty of care to the sport that you’re actually protecting the image of it and that’s why it’s as important as it is.

“I suppose we had high-profile cases during the summer, especially with the football, even in hurling some of the hits that we actually saw, it’s very important that when the players leave the field that they can pick up their kids, they can do a day’s work, they can study, they can do all these things and that’s essentially what’s at the centre of it.”

Hickey leaves the field after tearing his cruciate against Clare in 2013.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Hickey recalled one particular game – the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final against Clare -where he may have suffered a concussion after taking a bang to the head. Shortly afterwards, he tore his ACL and believes the two may have been linked.

“I tore my cruciate against Clare in 2013, before that my head had hit the turf and I’m constantly wondering whether that had an issue. Because I was a bit groggy after it and I’m constantly wondering whether that had an influence in me not turning the way I would have turned because it was such a freak injury.

“Why did that never happen to me before and what were the circumstances that were different in that to any of the other playing minutes that I’ve had?” he asked.

“That’s only one specific instance, I’ve played underage soccer and God knows went up for a header and I can’t remember most of that day. I’ve experienced it, it is multi-sport, so it’s very very important that we understand it as much as we can, education as Paul said is hugely important.”

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Fitzgerald led Wexford to Leinster Championship success this year.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

DAVY FITZGERALD HAS broken his silence after weeks of speculation linking the 48-year-old with the vacant managerial position at Galway.

The Wexford boss said he will make a decision on his future ‘in the next day or two’ on whether to stick with the Yellowbellies. Reports have suggested he could potentially succeed Micheál Donoghue and take over the 2017 All-Ireland winners.

Donoghue stood down from the Galway senior hurlers at the end of August and Fitzgerald has been heavily linked with the Tribesmen.

“Listen, I’ve to decide whether I’m staying in Wexford or not, that’s the most important question,” Fitzgerald said speaking to Midwest Sport on Wednesday.

“I’ve to get my own mind sorted and I’ll be doing that very soon. Very soon would be in the next day or two.”

Fitzgerald said he was conflicted on whether to remain with Wexford, who he led to Leinster Championship success this year, or move on after three years in charge.

“Listen, my heart is torn unreal there for the last number of weeks,” he said. “I think people appreciate it’s a massive-long drive down to Wexford.

“For me, it’s probably two and a half to three hours down and the same back. So that’s three or four nights a week.

“I’ve a very special bunch of boys down there so, that’s what’s taking me so long.”

On the rumours linking him with the vacant Galway position, he added: “The one thing I will say to you is, I haven’t talked to one person from Galway.”

– Originally published at 12.51

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BERNARD BROGAN PLANS to meet Jim Gavin next week but has yet to make a final decision on his future with Dublin. 

The 35-year-old made just one championship appearance for Dublin this summer and is expected to call time on his career this winter after winning his seventh All-Ireland title.

But Brogan says he hasn’t decided yet about retirement and will go into the conversation with Gavin with an open mind. 

“I’m meeting Jim next week to have a chat about it,” he said during an interview with Off The Ball today. 

“I’m 35 years of age. As of two weeks ago, I’m probably playing the best football I’ve played in five years. I’m looking forward to club championship at the weekend so we’ll see how that goes. 

“We obviously got over the line, we did the amazing five-in-a-row and all that. So there’s different challenges, different pressures. It’ll be a relaxed environment now.

“I’m just going to have a chat with Jim to see. I’m not 100% sure. I’ve to chat with (my wife) Keira, she’s the main gatekeeper in all this. But no, she’d never stand in the way of the passion. It’s just about making the right decision for myself, my work and all that.” 

Asked if there’s a chance he could make a surprise return in 2020, Brogan responded: “I’m not sure, I’m not sure to be honest. I want to get through the club stuff.

“We’re in a dog-fight, we’ve the last game of the group on Saturday night with Plunketts against Raheny. The mighty Brian Howard and Brian Fenton we have to deal with. So we’ll have a tough day out there. 

“I want to get through that for the next few weeks. But I want to meet Jim and have an honest conversation with him and not come into the meeting (going), ‘This is what’s happening.’ Just have a chat with him and as I said when I got injured, ‘Let’s just war game it.’ Whatever result will be, will be.

“We’ll have an open and frank conversation but I’m not going to go in with a decision made. Because Jim has been a big part of my career for a long time and we’ve won six All-Irelands together.

“I was actually part of his first (All-Ireland) U21 win in 2003, someone reminded me he was actually the manager for Dublin’s first U21 title and Alan (Brogan) was the captain. I was part of that as well so we go back a long way.”

Brogan was left out of Dublin’s matchday panel for the drawn All-Ireland final but made the 26 for the replay. He failed to appear off the bench, while Diarmuid Connolly was introduced at half-time in the win over Kerry. 

Diarmuid Connolly during the All-Ireland final replay.

Brogan admitted Connolly’s return during the summer was “tough for me” but he understood Gavin’s decision.

“He felt that was the right thing to give the team a bit of an extra angle. That’s his decision as manager, he’s just trying to get the best of what’s out there. 

“It was tough for me, he didn’t take my exact place but he did take a place on the bus and then a place on the team. In theory it’s another body in the way of me, but I’ve kind of gone past the personal…I’ve had the days of personal glory.

“But yeah you definitely want to be on the bus, it’s a tough place to be being left at home. But as long as the team gets over the line it will all be forgotten about in time. As long as you know you’ve added something, I’m comfortable with that.”

He bore no ill will towards Gavin after he failed to make the bench on the first day.

“I tried to look at it from both sides. Is there room for sentiment? Is there room for romance? I’m a romantic, I am. I’m not going to say (I’m not). Jim knows I am and I’ve said it to him in feedback loads of times. 

“When he rang me for the Kerry game I said to him, ‘I know you’ve to make the right calls for the team. I know you’re making them for the team, so you can give your best opinion on what the team should be on the day.’ It’s not a personal vendetta, I don’t think.

“He said it in training after a couple of the sessions when he makes calls and meets people before training, he’s come into the team meeting and said, ‘That’s been a tough, tough day.’ So he’s human as well, he doesn’t like making the calls.

“We all like to have the nice part of it, we don’t like to make the tough calls. But he takes his responsibility well and makes the calls he believes are the right ones. He says himself, he doesn’t have all the answers he just tries to make them for the best interests of the team.”

The 2010 Footballer of the Year recalled the unusual experience of heading to Croke Park for the drawn game when he wasn’t part of the Sky Blues squad. 

“I wasn’t sure how to approach the game. I had a couple of beers the night before, I didn’t go too mad just in case I got the call. I felt like bringing the boots in with me.

“It was obviously a weird sensation, your team and the lads you go training with week-in,  week-out not to be there, but there’s eight or nine other lads who had to do the same.

“I’ve been lucky enough not to be in that position too often. It was tough one. I brought the twins in and Keira. Littlewoods work with us in Legacy and we went in with them to the (corporate) box.

“I wanted to stay out of the madness. I drove in with Keira and the lads, parked up across from Gills pub. I had my sunglasses on and we walked quickly. We had a kid each and we were just legging it through. I was a nervous wreck watching the game.”

Once the final whistle went, Brogan “was energised” by the prospect of getting another stab at making the matchday panel. 

“I knew there were opportunities, chances missed, opportunities for us to win – and lose. It was an opportunity for a striker to get in and do a job. That’s all how I saw it.

“I put down the bottle I had and said that’s the end of them.”

Reflecting on the meeting with the Dublin boss ahead of the replay, Brogan remarked he nearly “fell off the chair” when he was told he’d be involved.

“I met him before the session. He rang me and I said, ‘I’d prefer to meet you in person.’ I was in (the middle of) a bit of work so I said, ‘I can’t take a call now I’ll meet you, I’ll be down early at 5pm.’

“I went in and we had a chat. The usual, (he was saying), ‘You know how much I respect you as a footballer…’ And I’m kind of going, ‘Yeah, I’ve heard this one before – the nice slant before he gives you the bad news.’

Dublin’s Bernard Brogan arrives ahead of the Super 8s game in Omagh.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“He went on and said, ‘You’ve worked really hard, you’ve been so positive, you’re talking in meetings, you’re doing this, that and the other…so you’re in.’

“So I nearly fell off the chair. I was expecting the worst. Training had gone well on the Saturday but you never know because to get in somebody has to move. That’s the reality of the 26, I think it’s actually a ridiculous thing having lived through it.

“You’ve 33 lads training and killing themselves and there’s five seats behind you in the dugout that are free. It’s madness. When lads are giving their lives to something. If you’re playing you don’t really worry about it but when you’ve actually lived through it…to be left behind after training is so hard.

“Having given everything to an amateur sport, to represent your parish, club and county. God, the least they could do is bring you on the day.”

Brogan also gave an insight into the commitment that comes with playing for Dublin. 

“Every Tuesday, Thursday training, and Monday night in the gym. Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9am until 1pm, 9am until 3pm somedays. The hours that go into it are frightening.

“You go on a Tuesday and you think it’s just training on a Tuesday night, you land there at 5pm for a 6pm meeting. Obviously half an hour of prep and talking and you’re not home until 9.30pm, 10pm. You’re just missing so much.

“In fairness to Jim he’s always tried to get the balance right and try to reward (the families). So on our team holidays we always have family, he sends gifts back to the girls whenever he can. Because he understands the sacrifice, he’s been there as a player and he’s been a manager for a long time.

“It’s more of a sacrifice at home. What Jim actually says is they’re the ones that make the sacrifice, we do what we love. We get to play football and we do it five times a week. They’re at home living the reality.”

Watch the full interview with Brogan below:

Source: Off The Ball/YouTube

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THREE MORE LEADING ladies footballers are Australia-bound to chase coveted AFLW contracts, with Cork, Galway and Meath stars heading to a combine in Melbourne next month.

Olivia Divilly, Saoirse Noonan and Vikki Wall.

Source: Inpho.

The42 understands that Rebels sharpshooter Saoirse Noonan, and Galway and Meath 2019 All-Ireland finalists Olivia Divilly and Vikki Wall will attend the upcoming combine.

Since making her senior inter-county debut in last year’s Munster final, 20-year-old Noonan has been a revelation for Cork, as effective from the bench as she is as a starter.

Last year, the Nemo Rangers star  — also a talented soccer player — fired a 5-11 total in six championship matches as a second-half substitute. This year, while she featured as a starter more and more, her scoring exploits were equally as impressive as the Leesiders lifted the Division 1 league title and reached the championship semi-final.

Divilly (23) was a standout performer for Galway week in, week out this summer as they reached a first All-Ireland senior decider since 2005. The Kilkerrin-Clonberne forward’s athleticism and sheer physicality was ever present, her cutting runs causing serious problems for opposition, as were her scoring efforts.

Her exploits were recognised with an All-Star nomination earlier this week.

And likewise, Wall (21) has been a constant threat in the Meath forward line, leading the Royals to a second consecutive All-Ireland final where they fell short to 2017 champions Tipperary two weeks ago.

The Dunboyne ace accounted for 0-4 (all from play) of Meath’s 1-14, but Shane Ronayne’s Tipperary proved too strong at the death.

According to AFL.com.au, the combine will take place on 1 to 2 October.

“As far as I’m aware they’re going over to compete in the National Combine,” AFLW agent and CrossCoders co-founder Jason Hill told The42.

“They’ve been on all the information the AFL has been sharing about the combine and they’ve sent mini-profiles of each player to the clubs.

“The clubs will now make an assessment on the players at the combine and look to interview them if they see them matching a need. They’ll be competing on the day against the best U18 players”

With clubs nominating players they wish to see at the combine and a set number of nominations required for a player to make the cut, the full list of attendees was recently released to clubs. The Australia-based U18s were announced first, with the top rising stars who came through state academies invited.

Curley (centre) celebrating her side’s VFLW win last weekend.

Source: Shane Barrie.

It’s understood that Kildare native Aisling Curley, who helped Collingwood to Victorian Football League Women’s [VFLW] — the AFLW’s second string — Grand Final glory on Sunday, has been nominated but wasn’t selected in the 10 players for the state combine meaning there will be no further Irish representation present.

With a lot of clubs having their business done and lists finalised ahead of the AFLW draft, which is pencilled in for 22 October, the timing may not be the best though.

16 Irish players have been confirmed for the 2020 AFLW season thus far, with five flying the flag last year in Mayo duo Cora Staunton (GWS Giants) and Sarah Rowe (Collingwood), Donegal forward Yvonne Bonner (GWS Giants), Tipperary’s Aisling McCarthy (Western Bulldogs) and Clare native Ailish Considine (Adelaide Crows), whose side won the Grand Final.

They have all re-signed, while Mayo’s Kelly sisters Niamh and Grace (West Coast Eagles) and team-mate Aileen Gilroy (North Melbourne), Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer (Brisbane Lions), Donegal defender Katy Herron (Western Bulldogs), Louth star Kate Flood (Fremantle), Cavan’s Aishling Sheridan (Collingwood), Leitrim native Áine Tighe (Fremantle), Galway’s Mairead Seoighe (North Melbourne) and Fermanagh’s Joanne Doonan (Carlton Blues) have all landed deals for the upcoming season.

Down’s Clara Fitzpatrick has also been elevated to St Kilda’s AFLW list after an impressive VFLW season at Southern Saints. 

Additionally, ‘more than 10′ AFLW teams are reportedly tracking Tipperary star and 2019 All-Ireland intermediate final Player of the Match Aisling Moloney.

It’s believed 21-year-old Moloney would not contemplate making the move to Australia until at least the 2021 season, however, with college commitments to be fulfilled on home soil.

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IN THE MIDST of a dual fixture clash for the Thurles Sarsfields camogie and ladies football teams, Tipperary Ladies Football have stated that they are “always open to putting in place a structure to avoid clashes.”

The statement from Tipperary LGFA Chairman Mr Lar Roche comes in response to one issued by Sarsfields, highlighting an “extremely unfair” clash which sees eight dual players line out in two games in four hours on Sunday. 

The camogie side face Kilruane McDonaghs in the intermediate championship semi-final at 2pm, while the footballers are contesting their own intermediate final at 6pm.

The football decider was originally fixed for 3pm but according to the Thurles outfit, “the only accommodation the county board could make was to move the game to 6pm instead.”

• Two games in four hours for eight players: Tipp club highlights ‘extremely unfair’ dual fixture clash

They added: “Despite both county boards highlighting the plight of the dual players at inter-county level, most recently where Tipp dual star Orla O’Dwyer had to choose between camogie and football All-Ireland semi-finals, the situation has been deemed unavoidable and the fixture stands.”

While voicing their unhappiness, the club reluctantly accept the situation at hand and will fulfill both fixtures.

In a statement to The42, Mr Roche underlines that the ladies football county board are “restricted by time constraints enforced outside their control,” though they are “always open to dialogue to find workable solutions so that girls do not have to make a choice between different codes.”

He added: “‘We feel at times that Tipperary Ladies Football are always the ones expected to move.

“We have said it already this year there needs to be more co-operation from our sisters in camogie so our girls have an equal playing field when participating in amateur sports.”

***

The Tipperary LGFA statement in full:

Tipperary Ladies Football have this week stated that they are ‘always open to putting in place a structure to avoid clashes between Camogie and Ladies Football Fixtures.’

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Chairman of Tipperary Ladies Football County Board, Mr. Lar Roche was responding to statement issued by Thurles Sarsfields Club concerning a clash of fixtures between the two codes on Sunday next September 29th. In the statement issued this week Mr. Roche said, ‘Tipperary Ladies Football are open to putting in a place a structure to avoid clashes between Camogie and Ladies Football.’ He added that he would like to point out that Tipperary Ladies Football did endeavour to seek a more workable alternative, in the early part of last week, as they recognised there was a strong possibility of clash. However he said Tipperary Ladies Football County Board were restricted by time constraints enforced outside their control but did move their fixture from 3pm to 6pm on Sunday.

Continuing Mr. Roche said that Tipperary Ladies Football are always open to dialogue to find workable solutions so that girls do not have to make a choice between different codes. However he added, ‘We feel at times that Tipperary Ladies Football are always the ones expected to move. We have said it already this year there needs to be more co-operation from our sisters in Camogie so our girls have an equal playing field when participating in amateur sports.’

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THE GAA’S CENTRAL Hearings Committee (CHC) have imposed hefty bans on Tyrone’s Gavin Devlin and Tipperary’s Eoin Brislane after incidents in separate U15 inter-county games during the summer. 

Devlin, of the Arboe O’Donovan Ross club, was hit with a 24-week suspension for “disruptive conduct by a supporter” during a game between Tyrone and Dublin at a National U15 Football Academy Tournament in Garvaghey on 27 July.

Brislane meanwhile was found guilty of using abusive language towards a referee and minor physical interference with a referee.

The infractions, which took place at an U15 Arrabawn Hurling Tournament game between Tipperary and Wexford in Littleton on 31 August, incurred a total ban of 16 weeks.

Devlin and Brislane have the option of appealing the CHC’s decision to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC).

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THE LINE-UP for the Dublin SFC quarter-finals will be revealed this weekend as the All-Ireland winners return to club action following their five-in-a-row success.

Na Fianna’s Eoin Murchan and Jonny Cooper will face-off against James McCarthy and Dean Rock of Ballymun Kickhams.

The final round of group games will be played on Friday and Saturday with plenty still up for grabs. The top two teams in each group advance to the last eight, while the bottom teams enter relegation semi-finals. 

The glamour tie of the weekend is in Group 1 on Friday night where Ballymun Kickhams clash with Na Fianna in a local derby. Both teams have beaten St Sylvesters and lost to Kilmacud Crokes, who top the group.

It’s a winner takes all clash, while a draw would be enough for Ballymun to progress. Na Fianna are managed by club legend Dessie Farrell, who is believed to be next in line for the Dublin job when Jim Gavin eventually steps away.

The Glasnevin outfit have Jonny Cooper, Conor McHugh and All-Ireland final replay goalscorer Eoin Murchan in their ranks, in addition to a number of youngsters from recent minor and U20 Dublin teams. 

Ballymun, All-Ireland finalists in 2013, have Sky Blue panelists Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, Dean Rock, John Small, Paddy Small and Evan Comerford in a star-studded line-up. 

Reigning champions Kilmacud Crokes, who boast Paul Mannion in attack, have already progressed and face St Sylvesters tomorrow night.

In Group 2, Michael Darragh Macauley’s Ballyboden St Enda’s can seal their place in the last eight when they take on Skerries Harps.

Bottom of the group Clontarf, with Jack McCaffrey in their side, face Lucan Sarsfields, who look best placed to join Ballyboden in the quarter-final.

Group 3 sees Thomas Davis meet Kevin McManamon’s St Judes in a game that will decide the group winners. A draw would send both teams through while there’s an outside chance the losing team could go out if there’s a big winner in the other game between Raheny and St Oliver Plunketts ER.

Raheny have two current All-Stars in their ranks in Brian Howard and Brian Fenton, while Bernard Brogan and Sean Bugler are key men for Plunketts.

Finally in Group 4, Castleknock and St Vincent’s are the two sides most likely to progress into the quarter-finals.

Ciaran Kilkenny’s Castleknock defeated the Vinnies back in April. They take on Paddy Andrews and St Brigid’s, who are rooted to the bottom of the group.

Diarmuid Connolly and St Vincent’s require at least a draw against Ballinteer St John’s to seal second place. 

Fixtures

Source: Dublin Match Tracker

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WEXFORD HAVE ANNOUNCED that Davy Fitzgerald has agreed to stay in charge of the senior hurling team for a further two years.

Davy Fitzgerald celebrates their Leinster final victory.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

The Clare native had been mulling over his future following their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary, but the county board have confirmed he’ll be back on the sideline in 2020.  

“We are delighted to announce that Davy Fitzgerald is reappointed on a two-year term as our senior hurling manager,” said a brief Wexford statement.

“Great progress has been made under his direction and we look forward to the journey ahead. Loch Garman Abú!”

We are delighted to announce that Davy Fitzgerald is reappointed on a two year term as our senior hurling manager. Great progress has been made under his direction and we look forward to the journey ahead. Loch Garman Abú! pic.twitter.com/JwHyA7akvq

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Fitzgerald has been over Wexford for the past three seasons, leading the county to a famous Leinster title victory last summer. His lengthy commute from Sixmilebridge to Ferns was cited as the major reason he was considering finishing up.

The All-Ireland winning player and manager was heavily linked to the vacant Galway job in recent weeks following Micheál Donoghue’s departure.

“I’ve to decide whether I’m staying in Wexford or not, that’s the most important question,” Fitzgerald remarked on Wednesday. “I’ve to get my own mind sorted and I’ll be doing that very soon.”

Fitzgerald’s decision to remain in Wexford is a major boost for the Model County, who had eight players nominated for 2019 All-Stars – their highest representation since 1996.

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CONTROVERSY REIGNED IN last night’s Antrim SFC semi-final replay when the county board chairman called a halt to the game during a free-kick shoot-out. 

Lamh Dhearg’s clash against Portglenone finished level at 0-15 to 1-12 after extra-time, while the sides were deadlocked at 9-9 after taking 10 free-kicks apiece in the shoot-out. 

As Lamh Dhearg forward Paddy Cunningham stepped up to take his side’s sixth free of sudden death, Antrim chairman Ciaran McCavana consulted both managers and made the decision to call a further replay.

Source: Jerome Quinn/YouTube

“I believe it was the right call morally,” said McCavana in a video posted on Antrim GAA Twitter’s account.

“I’m glad I’ve done it. It might not please everyone, but I have to have the moral courage to look after the players.

“We have amateur players who are giving their all, they’re training for nine months and they don’t deserve to lose the county semi-final and the chance to play in the final that way.”

County chairman on tonight’s drawn game and sudden death penalty shoot out #NorthernSwitchgearSFC pic.twitter.com/Jq4W1p4GAW

— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) September 26, 2019

Speaking about McCavana’s decision to Jerome Quinn after the game, Cunningham said: “I heard someone in the background going, ‘Paddy wait, Paddy wait,’ and I actually thought it was one of the Portglenone players.

“Ciaran stepped in. He’s been a wonderful chairman since he’s been in and he summed it up well – it would have been difficult for any team to lose a county semi-final over free-kicks.”

Former Antrim star Cunningham kicked this stunning score during the game.

what a point! pic.twitter.com/05GencfkAn

— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) September 26, 2019

Antrim GAA have also announced that the proceeds from the second replay will be split equally between three charities – deterMND, Paul McKeever’s Cancer Focus and Friends of Cancer Centre.

Reigning champions Cargin await the winners in the decider.

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