DAVY FITZGERALD HAS been outlining the background to Donal Óg Cusack’s shock appointment as Clare’s new senior hurling team coach.
Cusack will link up with manager Fitzgerald next year in an exciting double act that looks set to capture the imagination of hurling fans around the country.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Ray Darcy show on Saturday evening, Fitzgerald revealed that Cusack was “top of the list” when he drew up a list of names to join his backroom team.
Clare stormed to All-Ireland glory in 2013 but have endured a difficult two seasons since then, bowing out of the Munster and All-Ireland championships at early junctures.
“As soon as you’re beaten, the next week or two or three weeks you’re thinking, what can we do different?” Fitzgerald said.
“We won an All-Ireland two years ago and the last year or two has been really tough and you’re saying, what can I do to change it up and it’s my job as a manager to put the best backroom staff I can there and maybe change things up a small bit.
“You’d draw up a list in your head and I’ll be honest, he was nearly top of the list.
“I’ve watched him analysing stuff on The Sunday Game and he’s really good.
“I said, what the hell, I’ll pick up the phone and I’ll ring him. It quite surprised me, delighted to meet, we met up and had an incredible chat. It took off from there.”
Presenter Darcy wondered how the new partnership will work, given that Fitzgerald and Cusack are both renowned as fiercely independent individuals.
“It’s going to be war!” Fitzgerald joked.
“A lot of perception about me in the dressing room is that you’d be going off the head all the time or whatever.
“I think if you asked the lads they’d have a quite different story to that. I only want the best involved, there’s more than Donal Óg involved, we have Aonghus O’Brien and Jimmy Payne joining our set-up.
“Trust me, the set up we have is incredible as well, we have a lot of really good lads there. I think Donal will add to it, he thinks things out, and I think when he talks…the biggest thing is he’s been there, done it, serious vision in what he wants to do and I think when he talks in that dressing room, them lads will listen. That’s a big part of it.”
Please please stop repeating yourself over and over you clown!!
As usual John you have no opinion of your own.
SO OCD me thinks.
Big difference analysing games on the Sunday Game and actually doing it in real time. The fact Davy said he saw him on the Sunday Game and was impressed by him so he decided to give him a call has to be a worry for Clare people. Donal has mouthing credentials but absolutely no coaching credentials. Only time will tell if Donal can put his money where his mouth has been for years.
No , not worried at all ! There is a good backroom team there and donal is just 1 cog in a big wheel ! Takes all sorts and I’m fairly sure that donal óg has forgotten more about hurling than you ever knew ! My hope for the future is that ‘oneday’ i’ll go onto a hurling article on the 42 and not see the same stuff regurgitated in the comments section !
Similar articles = similar comments.
Ye should be worried Michael. One championship win since 2013 and now all hopes are resting on a coach with absolutely no coaching credentials. Just because someone knows a lot about hurling doesn’t mean they would be a good coach or manager.
Seeing as your such an expert on all sports perhaps u should b Clare hurling manager. Also manager of Irish rugby team. Maybe even rep of Ireland soccer manager as well. Your so knowledgeable
Sure who needs Paul kinerk or Anthony Daly, they will surely sign up the cast of Ireland fittest family instead.
Good one DaVe!
there is a big difference between analysing on tv and being directly involved in management, hence why it’s so admirable and brave for someone who’s been so successful at analysis and paid handsomely for it, is willing to put their neck out and give it a go
Donal would do anything for a fee. It doesn’t take a brave man to accept a lucrative monetary offer from Clare to become a coach.
he coached his club while still playing.
So
you said he had no experience,just keeping you up to speed,you obviously don’t know what your talking about!!
I said he had no coaching credentials, not experience. If you don’t understand the difference between the two maybe ask your remedial teacher in the morning.
he trained a team,they got to three county finals.that gives him credentials you clown,how many years were you kept back?you neanderthal.
He trained a club team, wow. As I said I know he has experience but he has no CREDENTIALS (achievements). Surely it’s way past your bedtime little boy! Does your mammy know you are still up?
I’d say oneday that if Davy signed up a backroom team of brian cody, Anthony cunningham and Anthony daly you would still find fault !!!!
No Michael, that would be a group of people with actual coaching credentials, unlike Donal.
I’m surprised you can spell it,dope
Fair enough I suppose ! Time will tell , won’t feel the league now !
Barry, did you get a good sleep? What time are you finished school at today?
Shane o Donnell will be happy with Donal coming to Clare !