National Forum

Davy Fitzgerald- New Antrim Manager.

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Claretandblue:  "In one of those games you referred to some Westmeath supporters left Wexford Park at half time. We weren't remotely competitive. Winning that game was a freak result, Wexford became complacent and we got late goals. The following week Antrim beat us by 12-13 points in Cusack."
The year before we drew with them

Look on our own forum I wasn't a fan of Joe but I always try to be fair with assessments, don't like shredding guys for the sake of it

In key games v Laois and Antrim we didn't perform so o agree with you on that

LockLeanGayl (Westmeath) - Posts: 257 - 20/08/2024 07:48:04    2565928

Link

Replying To Canuck:  "Yes I forgot Eamon Cregan. A miserable return for rental managers."
You're both forgetting Dermot Healy with Offaly as well (1981 and '85), so that makes three.

Still maybe a "miserable" return if you measure the success of outside managers only in terms of All-Ireland titles, but you have to remember the counties who tend to appoint outside managers are the ones who don't win All-Irelands very often anyway. I'm talking the likes of Wexford, Dublin, Galway, Offaly, Waterford, Laois, and Antrim - none of whom have any more than half a dozen All-Ireland titles each.

These counties aren't thinking in terms of All-Irelands when they appoint an outsider. They're just thinking in terms of the outsider bringing them on a bit.

For example, I think one of the greatest successes of an outside manager in recent times was Anthony Daly with Dublin. He took them from perennial also-rans to winning a League title, a Leinster title, and putting up a great show in an All-Ireland semi-final. But seems that because he didn't win an All-Ireland with them, you'd have listed in the "miserable return" category.

Another example might be Davy's first three years here in Wexford. We hadn't even reached a Leinster Final for almost a decade when he was appointed, and to be honest, we looked a long way off the pace. Then he guided the team to two of them, winning one, and we still have huge regrets over the All-Ireland semi-final that year too (2019). A successful appointment or a miserable return?

Basically, the success or otherwise of outside managers should be judged on whether or not they bring that county on a bit during their time in charge there. It shouldn't be judged solely on whether or not they win an All-Ireland.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2620 - 20/08/2024 09:19:54    2565937

Link

Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Easier to fly to Belfast than it is to either Wexford or Waterford tbf"
Fly from where?

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 20/08/2024 09:51:14    2565944

Link

Replying To LockLeanGayl:  "The year before we drew with them

Look on our own forum I wasn't a fan of Joe but I always try to be fair with assessments, don't like shredding guys for the sake of it

In key games v Laois and Antrim we didn't perform so o agree with you on that"
We beat Laois on every occasion with Joe Fortune!!??? You are allowed not like the man but like our own thread keep at least to facts.

2022 to retain Leinster status
2023 to retain division one status
2024 in Joe McDonagh

I think you are getting mixed up with Shane O Brien? Again! That was the last time we lost to Laois. You are right we did lose to Antrim the week after Wexford and beat them this year in Division one league when their players had decided not to commit ( we were missing quite a lot too!) . Believe me in time you will see how precious and rare that win and draw was and will be over Wexford.

As a former player Barney if ye manage to convince Joe Fortune to Dublin ye will be very lucky. He's had great success with your underage and club teams, to our detriment at times as players.

retiredsemi (Westmeath) - Posts: 6 - 20/08/2024 10:03:11    2565948

Link

Replying To FoolsGold:  "He left because of the travel and then takes Antrim who are further away."
When your mileage allowance doubles, the travelling becomes less of a concern.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 20/08/2024 10:32:32    2565955

Link

Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Fly from where?"
Shannon

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 353 - 20/08/2024 11:39:04    2565967

Link

Replying To LockLeanGayl:  "The year before we drew with them

Look on our own forum I wasn't a fan of Joe but I always try to be fair with assessments, don't like shredding guys for the sake of it

In key games v Laois and Antrim we didn't perform so o agree with you on that"
Doesn't really make sense to use Wexford as a benchmark given how Wexford performed against Kilkenny in the games after the Westmeath draw and loss

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 353 - 20/08/2024 11:40:46    2565968

Link

Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "When your mileage allowance doubles, the travelling becomes less of a concern."
Speaking from experience are you??

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2085 - 20/08/2024 11:44:53    2565970

Link

Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Shannon"
There are no scheduled flights between Shannon and Belfast. Unless of course Davy will flying back and forth by private plane.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 20/08/2024 14:27:58    2566006

Link

Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Shannon"
Shannon does not fly to Befast ASAIK

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 20/08/2024 14:44:07    2566010

Link

Replying To LockLeanGayl:  "The year before we drew with them

Look on our own forum I wasn't a fan of Joe but I always try to be fair with assessments, don't like shredding guys for the sake of it

In key games v Laois and Antrim we didn't perform so o agree with you on that"
Think you maybe are underestimating Antrim with that post. Antrim beat us fair and square this year, not down to us being complacent as such, and 2 years ago beat Clare in the League and drew with us. They also were very unlucky not to beat Dublin in the League, and were flying against Galway in the championship this year until their centreback got sent off. I wasn't surprised that they beat yourselves although maybe a little bit by the margin, over the last few years I'd have them ranked 1 place above you in 10th.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13853 - 20/08/2024 17:04:59    2566043

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "Yes but how many non local managers have managed the counties who have been the strongest and won the most AIs in the managerial era? Kilkenny have won by far the most AIs, but would likely have won alot or all of them wherever their manager was from. Same with Cork."
Yes Viking Kilkenny would have won All-Irelands anyway but I would seriously think nothing close to what they have. Anyway why would they shop out the job when they can do better at home. The old scenario the other man's grass is always greener. Let alone there fickle supports would gut an outsider if he or she didn't win.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2866 - 21/08/2024 03:06:26    2566089

Link

Replying To Canuck:  "Yes Viking Kilkenny would have won All-Irelands anyway but I would seriously think nothing close to what they have. Anyway why would they shop out the job when they can do better at home. The old scenario the other man's grass is always greener. Let alone there fickle supports would gut an outsider if he or she didn't win."
They wouldn't entertain an outside manager in the 1st place. But in fairness a large number of lads from Kilkenny and Tipp especially, but also Cork, have plied their trade as managers and coaches far and wide, spreading the gospel of hurling, to schools and clubs all over the country, from Carlow and Kildare to Wexford and Antrim. They then have a larger pool of lads with coaching and managerial experience to pick intercounty managers from than we would have in Wexford and Waterford. So would have no need to appoint a manager from somewhere else.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13853 - 21/08/2024 13:08:22    2566155

Link

Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Fly from where?"
Farranfore, where the planes fly backwards coming into land.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 21/08/2024 13:53:00    2566173

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "They wouldn't entertain an outside manager in the 1st place. But in fairness a large number of lads from Kilkenny and Tipp especially, but also Cork, have plied their trade as managers and coaches far and wide, spreading the gospel of hurling, to schools and clubs all over the country, from Carlow and Kildare to Wexford and Antrim. They then have a larger pool of lads with coaching and managerial experience to pick intercounty managers from than we would have in Wexford and Waterford. So would have no need to appoint a manager from somewhere else."
Agree. However in my opinion the best person to manage in Wexford is a Wexford man. The same in Waterford a Waterford man. If our teams were good enough we have enough of knowledge and know how. We send coaches and managers all over the place also like the traditional big three. Possibly even more. (Does Limerick make it four or do we relegate one of them.)
No disrespect to Antrim but this is the first time Davy went below the top eight. Michael Ryan went to Westmeath and Molumphy to Kerry. Darren Gleeson went to Antrim and gave them five good years. Our own Clinton Hennessy was a big part of that management. Brennan and Fennelly went down the ladder also to help. I commend these guys for spreading the gospel where needed the most. Antrim are a good team and close enough to break through. The incentive for Davey is surely more than the love of the game. I didn't come down the road on a green bike or many others either.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2866 - 22/08/2024 00:05:04    2566246

Link

Not at all flattered by the faint praise of some, who shuffle their feet as they attempt to give us some credit with the ever present, but!

Who knows how Davy will go. It will certainly be entertaining and we will take any little gems of experience and wisdom he can give us. We weren't far away on our targeted games last year. Our pool of players is expanding and hopefully some more will put their hands up for an inter county career that is not easy, for those on here who know what is required these days. And who knows what this will throw up.

There are inherent issues with location, transition through our underage grades, absence of a county ground and 'full' commitment from a few.


We won't use these as excuses and hope we can make further progress in the coming season.

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 311 - 22/08/2024 21:14:20    2566353

Link

Replying To Glensboy:  "Not at all flattered by the faint praise of some, who shuffle their feet as they attempt to give us some credit with the ever present, but!

Who knows how Davy will go. It will certainly be entertaining and we will take any little gems of experience and wisdom he can give us. We weren't far away on our targeted games last year. Our pool of players is expanding and hopefully some more will put their hands up for an inter county career that is not easy, for those on here who know what is required these days. And who knows what this will throw up.

There are inherent issues with location, transition through our underage grades, absence of a county ground and 'full' commitment from a few.


We won't use these as excuses and hope we can make further progress in the coming season."
Hope so too.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13853 - 23/08/2024 11:14:53    2566407

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "Hope so too."
Agreed

Sligojoe (Mayo) - Posts: 13 - 28/08/2024 11:25:20    2567325

Link

Neil McManus part of the backroom team as "sports performance coach".

What's a sports performance coach?

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2559 - 29/08/2024 11:31:30    2567502

Link