BOSSES KEEP US GUESSING
No firm declarations yet from inter-county managers
CAN WEXFORD emerge from their championship exits unscathed?
While managerial positions for 2018 are now the major talking points in the county, the respective futures of hurling boss Davy Fitzgerald and his footballing counterpart, Seamus McEnaney, are still very much unknown.
Fitzgerald is one of the most high-profile managers in the country, and his spat with Michael Duignan, in particular, and Henry Shefflin took centre stage following the county’s All-Ireland quarter-final exit to Waterford. The Clareman has asked for some time out to consider his future on whether he will continue his role in 2018.
The future intentions of McEnaney are also unknown. Despite the fact that he cast doubt on his future with the county’s Senior footballers in the aftermath of their heavy qualifier defeat to his native Monaghan, citing the heavy travel commitment as an obstacle to remaining in the post, there has been no revelations since.
Fitzgerald has been unavailable for comment all week, while McEnaney, despite telephone contact, was unable to set aside any available time to comment on his future, if any, with the county.
While Fitzgerald’s name has been linked with the Dublin post, created by the resignation of Ger Cunningham after three years at the helm, it’s believed there has been no firm approach from Dublin to the Wexford manager regarding any interest in a potential move to take up the reins of the metropolitans.
The former Clare manager has cited travel as a real obstacle to any future decision, but it’s believed that he would favour a further year at the Wexford helm should the proper arrangements be put in place. It’s known that he would prefer an opportunity to continue the progress made this year rather than a move to another county.
When appointed by former Chairman, Diarmuid Devereux, he was given certain goals to achieve within a two-0year timeframe, all of which he managed in the first six months in office: promotion to Division 1A, qualification for the Leinster final, and bringing the county into the top six hurling sides in the country.
Right now the county awaits the voice of the Clareman as to whether he is committing to another year as manager.
Football manager Seamus McEnane, achieved promotion from Division 4, having won his five opening league games, but thereafter the slide began, losing their closing round league games, suffering championship defeat to Carlow and a qualifier loss to Monaghan, with the only solace being a qualifier victory over Limerick in between.
With the number of county foot- ball managerial vacancies rising by the week, it’s no surprise that McEnaney is keeping his powder dry at the moment.
He previously had stints in charge of nis native Monaghan as well as Meath.