CLARE MANAGER DAVY Fitzgerald says his insider knowledge won’t be much use against Limerick on Sunday.
Fitzgerald knows plenty of the Treaty panel from his time in charge of Limerick IT, whom he led to a historic first Fitzgibbon Cup title in 2005 and another in 2007.
Current senior stars Richie McCarthy, Wayne McNamara, Gavin O’Mahony, Paudie O’Brien, Paul Browne and Seanie Tobin all hurled during his reign.
And as the near neighbours do battle for the right to meet Cork in an All-Ireland final on 8 September, Fitzgerald is well aware of the task his young Banner side faces.
“I don’t think it gives me any advantage to tell you the truth because these guys are good hurlers,” he said.
“I have been in Fitzgibbon finals with these guys. We wouldn’t have got there unless they were good hurlers and the biggest thing I know about them – especially the likes of Richie and that – is that they are wicked competitive.
“I know that but I’m looking forward to that battle and that task.”
Clare’s Munster challenge ended with defeat to Cork in the provincial semis but since then they have won three on the bounce, raising the bar to a new level to beat Galway last time out.
Fitzgerald says he has seen definite improvements in his young squad.
“We are delighted with the young lads and what they have achieved. People have asked me have they exceeded my expectations and they have 100%.
Anyone that knows anything about sport knows that your mid-to-late 20s is when you are really in your prime, but to have eight or nine fellas under 22 that is a big ask of any team.They are maturing as they go along. They have been playing in patches all year, dropping in and out of games, but the last day they were a lot more consistent.
We will need a little bit more to beat this Limerick team. We will need to up it a bit more.
