This article is from page 96 of the 2008-01-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 96 JPG
on January 1, Davy Fitzger- ald confirmed on Friday that he will return to the Clare panel in the com- TP OTSMR ere) Oe
Having parted ways with the Clare set-up under Tony Considine while on the cusp of eclipsing Christy Ring’s championship appearance record, the Sixmilebridge goalkeep- er 1S now Set to resume Clare training next month.
Fitzgerald picked up a serious injury playing for his club in the champion- ship last autumn and says his injured finger “still isn’t 100% right” and that his “doctors think I am mad” to CLoyeTSleCosmBUCLAUDM ON DETSS
“All I want to do is play,” said Fit- zgerald on Clare FM. “I could go out and coach a team and stay writing and make a pile of money, but I’m in-
terested in going out and seeing how the hand will react. I want to give it a right chance.”
His return to the inter-county scene at 36-years-of-age marks one of the highest profile combacks in modern hurling history and represents the first stern test for Philip Brennan, one of Clare’s best performers in the championship last season.
“Philip Brennan’s performances of class and skill have pushed him to the forefront of goal- ies, not only in Clare, but goalies in Ireland. Philip did a great job last year under pressure and I know the way Mike Mac oper- ates,’ said Fitzgerald on Friday. “He would make no promises.”
Mike McNamara him- self added that Fitzgerald will be given the same
treatment as every other player.
“A fully fit Davy Fitzgerald would make a massive contribution to Clare,” the manager said.
‘The aim of this management team and the ambition of this management team is to stabilise [Clare] and move [Clare] back up the ladder of hurling counties. That’s quite a task and it re- quires all the better players in Clare.
“In that line, David and myself have spoken and hopefully in a week or
two, the medical advice will be that he can return to attempt to regain the strength in his hand.”
Fitzgerald also pointed out that he has kept his counsel on events in 2007.
“Last year, I don’t think I said anything to anyone and I’ve no intention of doing it. It’s in the past.
For me, my county is the most im- portant thing, whether I play or not.”
Speaking in Meelick on Sunday af- ter his LIT side eased past Clare in the Waterford Crystal Cup, Fitzger- ald wouldn’t be drawn further on his return.
“Tl give it a try anyway and see what happens,” he said. “I don’t re- ally want to talk anymore about it. Whatever happens, happens and the most important thing 1s to play. We’ Il leave the talking until later on in the year.”