IT would be wrong to say that Davy Fitzgerald will be distracted in Semple Stadium on Sunday because there is no doubt his focus will be fully with the Waterford senior hurlers. However, his thoughts might stray now and again to Kilmallock where the Clare minor camogie team are pitted against Cork in the All Ireland semi-final at 3.30pm.
Davy is coach to this team. He attended their training session this week along with manager Fintan McNamara and the rest of the Clare back room team to try and plot the downfall of their arch rivals Cork – who have already beaten them twice this year. Orla Considine is chair of the Clare camogie board and she says Davy’s influence brings huge commitment from the girls and the level of interest that is required.
“Davy would have seen the potential in this squad two years ago when he came in to talk to them in the All Ireland U16 semi-final. He was their coach last year when they got to the All Ireland minor final against Kilkenny. Now, they are back looking to go one step further. Davy will give them plenty of advice ahead of the day,” she says.
“The rivalry between this Cork and Clare teams is massive. Cork defeated Clare in the Munster final and again in the round-robin series of the All Ireland. Last year we beat Cork in the same matches, so the pendulum has swung to and fro. It is disappointing for Davy and the girls that he won’t be with them on Sunday, but that is the luck of the draw. ”
When Davy isn’t available, the girls train under senior manager Bertie Sherlock who is among Davy’s backroom team in Waterford. They both will be hoping Chloe Morey who bagged the Banner’s winning point against Limerick in the Gala senior championship on Saturday will again be to the fore. If Chloe gets to the All Ireland minor final, it will be a busy few weeks for the Moreys’ with brother Caimin hoping to help the Clare U21 hurlers to their first Munster U21 title on this day week.
The other half of the double header in Kilmallock sees Tipperary against Kilkenny, also a semi-final, at 1.45pm.