Davy calls on Banner to mix up their play

WEXFORD manager Davy Fitzgerald knows what his native county Clare must do to topple All-Ireland champions Galway. On Saturday, Fitzgerald saw his side narrow a seven-point halftime deficit to three before the Banner pulled away again to set up a clash with the Tribesmen on Saturday, July 28. ‘Clare were very hurt from the Munster final,’ he said. ‘They got a lot of stick. I hope they come out the same way the next day. If they do their homework the way I think they should do it, there is one way you go at it and another way you do go at it. I am not going to say it out publicly. ‘The lads will know what to do and what not to do. If you look at the way Galway set-up, it should suit Clare if they go the way that suits Clare,’ added Fitzgerald. ‘The one thing I would urge, when the boys run the ball and play it short and vary the game, they have a chance. Just give the boys a chance and stop looking for them to hit it long all the time. ‘Give the lads a bit of space, give the management a bit of space. Let them try their best.’ Clare were tested here by Fitzgerald’s men in a compelling encounter in Cork. Having led by 0-16 to 0-9 at halftime, with all six starting forwards on the scoresheet, they saw Wexford come back at them in the second half. A goal from Conor McDonald and points from Rory O’Connor helped the Model County reduce the gap to just three, though they would have been even closer but for poor shooting while Donal Tuohy saved well from Liam Óg McGovern. The Banner pushed on again, with John Conlon, Shane O’Donnell and Tony Kelly to the fore and the seven-point half-time gap had been re-established by the end. Galway lie in wait. ‘It’ll be a massive test. I think the scoreline against Kilkenny last week probably flattered Kilkenny slightly, I think Galway were by far the better team, they probably switched off a bit and got a bit complacent,’ said Clare manager Gerry O’Connor. ‘Basically, we’ll go away and we’ll plan for Galway, as we’ve been planning for anybody.’