Do us all a favour, Davy, and don’t spoil this one

THERE is a breath of fresh air about today’s Leinster hurling final. However, we must hope that life after Kilkenny’s stranglehold on the provincial title does not turn sour, despite the wave of excitement that Wexford bring to their meeting with Galway at Croke Park.

Their place in this decider is well deserved, and the manner in which they dispatched Brian Cody’s young men in their semi-final was inspirational for everyone watching.

For that game their manager Davy Fitzgerald (above) watched behind specially prepared tinted glass in the stand.

He was finishing up his suspension for invading the field during Wexford’s league semi-final against Tipperary.

For all the fun and sense of additional excitement that Fitzgerald brings to the game, with his amateur dramatics and hysterics on the sideline, there is also an ugly underbelly to his behaviour.

His actions in the league semi-final played a large part in ruining the season of Tipp midfielder Jason Forde, who was later suspended himself for challenging the Wexford manager. Worse still, those actions displayed the indiscipline inherent in football and hurling on a national stage.

Everyone, though, seems very happy to have Fitzgerald back this afternoon.

There is a slim hope that he will have grown up during his recent suspension, but only very slim. If he chooses to continue his disgraceful behaviour – no matter how entertaining it may appear to some – he cannot be tolerated.

Wexford are gladly welcomed back to the big stage today, but they must remember that they are ultimately responsible for what Davy Fitzgerald brings to the occasion.