FANS: LAY OFF ON BAD DAYS

DAVY Fitzgerald has appealed to Waterford fans to lay off his team if they have bad days.

And the new Déise boss says he will walk away if he’s “not up to the business”.

“In fairness to Waterford, when you do play the home games you do get a fair atmosphere and there is a decent crowd,” said Fitzgerald.

“I think this team are a very decent team and they deserve that support.

“We want every Waterford person that’s there to come out and support and what I mean by support is whether we have good days or bad days, don’t be getting on our back.

“I know after two or three years if I’m not up to the business then we’ll change and give someone else a chance. That’s no problem.

“But in order for us to have a chance, don’t cut us or the team after a few games or after a year. Give us a chance.

“That’s the big thing now.”

Fitzgerald says social media has been a help to the game “maybe in certain areas” but in other areas “it’s absolutely terrible”.

“One person that I know very well said to me the GAA is probably one of the few things left that’s very pure.

“It is amateur. It is in all our communities. We care about it so much.

“I just want to see people get out and support it and be the best we can be.

“I was lucky I played at a time when there was no social media.”

Fitzgerald also believes that intercounty camogie players are “totally undervalued, underappreciated and underfunded.”

Fitzgerald coached the Cork camogie side this year.

“Being involved with the ladies was actually one of the best things I have done,” he said.

“You manage a senior hurling team, you have x budget and you manage a ladies team and you have very little budget.

“Matthew (Twomey, Cork camogie manager) knew our budget was very low.

“I didn’t realise how tough it was. But that alone was like nearly going back to grass roots and getting stuck in again on the coaching field.”

Turned

Fitzgerald says he has turned down a number of offers over the past year, before Waterford came up after Liam Cahill left.

“There were opportunities but this one feels right because of the style these guys play with,” he said

“Normally, I’d walk into a team and I have to start from square one.

“I don’t have to start from square one here, which is great.

“I’ll put it to you this way, I’m as excited as I’ve ever been. I’m as enthusiastic. I’m as energetic.

“I’m buzzing, I suppose. If you are feeling that way, then why not?

“As regards management I’m still pretty young, I’d like to think.

“There’s a lot of years left in me.

“The enthusiasm is still there and if that’s there, why not? I want to win. I want to win every game I can.”