DAVY FITZGERALD AND his players are keen to present a united front after it was confirmed that the Clare hurling boss will be in charge again next year.
Two players, Brendan Bugler and Aaron Cunningham, have voiced their support for Fitzgerald in an interview with Clare FM.
“Where we’re going at the moment, the likes of Davy and the management deserve the opportunity to have their own say in it as well,” said Bugler.
“They have delivered before, there’s a formula there already that has an All-Ireland and with the group of players going forward, to get the maximum out of ourselves, I don’t think change is what’s needed.
Cunningham also insisted that Fitzgerald is the man to take the Clare team forward, despite one local journalist suggesting that a private players’ meeting has taken place.
Some talk of a Clare players meeting tonight....heard it on the wind in deepest west kerry...
“The work they’ve put in, they don’t receive half enough credit for,” Cunningham insisted.
“Management and players need to come together. We do need to have look back at this year and last year and plan for the years ahead.
“But when the management were put in place a few years ago, if you said they would bring an All-Ireland to Clare within two or three years, I think the whole Clare public would have accepted that.”
Cunningham, an All-Ireland winning graduate from the U21 ranks, also insisted that the criticism that has been dished out since last Saturday’s qualifier defeat to Cork has hurt the players.
“It does hurt because when you’re winning, you’re a hero and when you’re losing, you’re a villain.
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“We understand the frustration that’s out there because we would rank ourselves a lot higher than we have have performed in the last two years. It’s understandable but it is disappointing.”
Aaron Cunningham netted twice off the bench against Limerick. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Bugler, meanwhile, described the situation that saw John Conlon substituted at half-time last Saturday, before coming back on, as “highly unusual.”
It is understood that Clare management were informed by referee Barry Kelly that Conlon was running the risk of being sent off, having been booked early in the game.
“Yeah, I heard it at half-time in the dressing room,” Bugler revealed. “It was going around.
“John hadn’t come in with us. The word got around that Barry Kelly had said that was the case, if he (Conlon) gave away another free or two he’d be sent off.
“Tough decision for management but they took it in the best interests of the team.
“Highly unusual – the first time I ever came across it.”
Clare were advised to take off John Conlon last Saturday. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Cunningham added that Clare don’t want to be remembered as “one-hit wonders” after failing to build on 2013 All-Ireland success.
“There was a lot of word going around that we were were one-hit wonders and we were adamant that we were going to change everything this year. We really did put everything into it.”
“No, I don’t think it did. It was a decision made by management and the players backed the decision that was made. It didn’t have any ripple effect whatsoever.”
Cunningham also stated that if and when the time comes for change, it will be a case of ‘business as usual’ for the Clare players.
“To be honest, I don’t see it coming to that. We need to come together and move on.
“If something like that was to happen, we’re only the players. Managers come and go, they change the whole time.
“Trainers come and go – this year we had different strength and conditioning and hurling coaches, as we did last year.
“And that change wasn’t spoken about, we just kept going. Us as players, we work away.
“That’s our job, not to get involved in that kind of craic.”
Davy O'Halloran linked up with the Clare footballers following his exit from the hurling panel. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
And Bugler had a very clear message for Clare fans, insisting that the status quo should remain.
“Stick behind the management, stick behind the squad. We will be back.
“Clare in the next couple of years will win again, be it Munster or All-Irelands.
“It’s a minor hiccup. The last two years haven’t been great but Clare will be back stronger and learn from it.
“I have no doubt that’s (success) is going to happen again and please God with this group of players and management team.”
'To get the maximum out of ourselves, I don't think change is what's needed'
DAVY FITZGERALD AND his players are keen to present a united front after it was confirmed that the Clare hurling boss will be in charge again next year.
Two players, Brendan Bugler and Aaron Cunningham, have voiced their support for Fitzgerald in an interview with Clare FM.
“Where we’re going at the moment, the likes of Davy and the management deserve the opportunity to have their own say in it as well,” said Bugler.
Cunningham also insisted that Fitzgerald is the man to take the Clare team forward, despite one local journalist suggesting that a private players’ meeting has taken place.
“The work they’ve put in, they don’t receive half enough credit for,” Cunningham insisted.
“Management and players need to come together. We do need to have look back at this year and last year and plan for the years ahead.
“But when the management were put in place a few years ago, if you said they would bring an All-Ireland to Clare within two or three years, I think the whole Clare public would have accepted that.”
Cunningham, an All-Ireland winning graduate from the U21 ranks, also insisted that the criticism that has been dished out since last Saturday’s qualifier defeat to Cork has hurt the players.
“It does hurt because when you’re winning, you’re a hero and when you’re losing, you’re a villain.
“We understand the frustration that’s out there because we would rank ourselves a lot higher than we have have performed in the last two years. It’s understandable but it is disappointing.”
Bugler, meanwhile, described the situation that saw John Conlon substituted at half-time last Saturday, before coming back on, as “highly unusual.”
It is understood that Clare management were informed by referee Barry Kelly that Conlon was running the risk of being sent off, having been booked early in the game.
“Yeah, I heard it at half-time in the dressing room,” Bugler revealed. “It was going around.
“John hadn’t come in with us. The word got around that Barry Kelly had said that was the case, if he (Conlon) gave away another free or two he’d be sent off.
“Tough decision for management but they took it in the best interests of the team.
“Highly unusual – the first time I ever came across it.”
Cunningham added that Clare don’t want to be remembered as “one-hit wonders” after failing to build on 2013 All-Ireland success.
“There was a lot of word going around that we were were one-hit wonders and we were adamant that we were going to change everything this year. We really did put everything into it.”
Bugler added that the controversy surrounding Davy O’Halloran and Nicky O’Connell did not affect the rest of the players earlier in the year.
“No, I don’t think it did. It was a decision made by management and the players backed the decision that was made. It didn’t have any ripple effect whatsoever.”
Cunningham also stated that if and when the time comes for change, it will be a case of ‘business as usual’ for the Clare players.
“To be honest, I don’t see it coming to that. We need to come together and move on.
“If something like that was to happen, we’re only the players. Managers come and go, they change the whole time.
“Trainers come and go – this year we had different strength and conditioning and hurling coaches, as we did last year.
“And that change wasn’t spoken about, we just kept going. Us as players, we work away.
“That’s our job, not to get involved in that kind of craic.”
And Bugler had a very clear message for Clare fans, insisting that the status quo should remain.
“Stick behind the management, stick behind the squad. We will be back.
“Clare in the next couple of years will win again, be it Munster or All-Irelands.
“It’s a minor hiccup. The last two years haven’t been great but Clare will be back stronger and learn from it.
“I have no doubt that’s (success) is going to happen again and please God with this group of players and management team.”
‘We had a bad week, we had a rough week’ – Limerick hurling bounces back
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Aaron Cunningham Brendan Bugler Davy Fitzgerald GAA Clare we go again