There's a perception out there that Davy Fitzgerald is some sort of 'lunatic' but that couldn't be further from the truth, says the man himself.

In a wide ranging interview in today's Irish Independent, the Banner boss reveals he doesn't allow himself to get distracted by what other people think of him.

"I've been listening to it my whole career," he states. "If it helps some people to shout abuse non-stop at me, fine. It doesn't faze me.

"Listen, the way people see me seems to vary from the lunatic on the sideline who can't shut up to a fella who nearly over-thinks his hurling. They're contradictory images, so I just try to stay away from analysing what other people think.

"Am I a lunatic? Maybe TV hasn't helped the cause. They get you for three or four minutes straight after a game that lasts maybe 73.

"Look, I'm not giving out about it. But I know there are other managers who are just as vocal on the line. But I think if you ask any of the players of the time we won the All-Ireland, they'd say I'd have been one of the calmest people there. The way I'm talking now would be the way I'd be for 99pc of my team-talks.

"And they're the only people who really know me - the players and backroom staff. They know there's a hell of a lot of thought put into everything we do."

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