Ball Vindictive pundits stooped low to get at our hurling boss

ET’S PARK logic and predictions of pundits and ex-players for a moment and contemplate life without Davy Fitzgerald, and a weekend without any real hurling drama. The irony were it to come about should not be lost on anyone. Davy Fitzgerald has been lighting up hurling as a manager for many years so his contribution to the game should be clear, the colour he brings, but more importantly his work in bringing counties to a level they could only have dreamed of previously, such as Waterford, Clare, and now Wexford.

The crowd in Nowlan Park surpassed all expectations. It was the ‘Davy factor’ which contributed to much of this. The fans ventured along in significant numbers, and they were not disappointed, as the Tipperary versus Wexford match provided excellent entertainment.

Davy continued to enthral the crowd. Yes, he did step over the line, and a form of punishment had to be handed down by the G.A.A. authorities, but no way did the eight-week ban fit the crime.

But the vindictiveness of many pundits, mostly ex-players, levelled at Davy Fitzgerald was way over the top. One would think they never made a mistake in their lives, but for most they choose to sit in cosy studios and vent their feelings, or sit behind a desk, claiming to be holier than thou in penning vicious articles, not just admonishing his pitch incursion but what turned into real character assassinations.

These are mainly ex-players taking away handsome cheques for their few hours of punditry each weekend, handy pickings to go with their day jobs, but with journalistic standards suffering as a result.

Whatever the rest of the country thought, one would have to be disappointed in the Wexford G.A.A. Board in all of this. They have been noticeable by their silence with not a single statement or word uttered in support of Davy Fitzgerald.

Not only have they been silent in relation to the manager, but not a single line has been uttered as to the county’s response to the vindictive utterings of pundits to their manager or the eight-week ban handed down by the C.C.C.C.

The pressure to conform with Croke Park has seen the button pushed into ‘silent mode’, but the county’s appetite for the backing of their manager is unlikely to be sated by such a course of action.

In lifting Wexford from Division 1B, and then beating Kilkenny in Nowlan Park for the first time since 1957, guiding them to a six-game winning run and simply making a dormant support base believe again, Fitzgerald has won over the public in just a short few months.

Davy went out on a limb to galvanise his side after the concession of a second goal. Here he was standing up for them. The foul on James Breen wasn’t called so Fitzgerald decided to take the focus onto himself, take the pressure, and take the opportunity to lift his players, but the Central Competitions Control Committee decided they had enough and handed down an eight-week ban, without a fine on the county, while Tipperary’s Jason Forde has been recommended for a two-game ban for his role in the incident.

It seems at this stage of his career that Fitzgerald will do whatever is needed to get the job done, but this will lead to queues lining up to persecute him. Ex-players stuck the knife into him, with many of the references way over the top. And Fitzgerald was ultimately convicted without a trial, without an opportunity to present a case for leniency.

While the C.C.C.C. had to be seen to do something, their heavy-handed suspension is equally over the top. Many of those pundits have also done silly things in their lives, but their vindictiveness levelled at Fitzgerald has left it almost impossible for him to have a fair hearing should he appeal the proposed ban.

Indulging in nasty remarks reflects poorly on those who make them more than anybody else. But there is no individual in hurling who is more of a sucker for the underdog than Fitzgerald. When he recognises there is a fight worth fighting the gloves are off.

But what was most disappointing was that he hadn’t Wexford G.A.A. Board in his corner last week. They had been conspicuous by their silence until yesterday (Monday) morning, with not a single statement from the county Chairman, P.R.O., or head office.

But what is of more importance is that Davy has the remainder of the county behind him.

Now let’s look forward to the championship whether Davy is on the sideline or in the stand. Wexford will still stand tall and win those two opening games for the boss.