It’s official – Davy Fitzgerald’s five years at the helm of the Clare hurling team has come to an end.
The man who led the Banner to All-Ireland glory in 2013 and the Allianz League title earlier this year has declined to take up the final year of his term after some players expressed a desire for change.
His statement comes after a day of intense speculation surrounding his future.
An All-Ireland winning goalkeeper in 1995 and 1997, Fitzgerald took charge of his native county in 2011 after a successful four-year spell in charge of the Waterford hurlers, which saw them reach the final four each season, contest the All-Ireland final in 2008 and win the 2010 Munster Championship.
REPORTS: Davy Fitzgerald to step down as Clare manager https://t.co/VgdH1sbXqF
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 21, 2016
The 2013 triumph over Cork after a replay meant Fitzgerald had a hand in three of Clare’s four All-Ireland titles but since then Championship success has largely eluded Clare, who are yet to return to Croke Park and have only managed wins over Offaly, Laois and Limerick in the past three summers.
Read Fitzgerald’s heartfelt statement below.
Mark Dunphy
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