Hurling is the best medicine, and Antrim gave themselves a big chance of remaining in Division 1B with a 4-22 to 0-21 victory over Laois at Corrigan Park.
Coming into the game, there was talk of a bug in the Antrim camp, but it proved to do no harm as James McNaughton scored 2-11 in a fine display that saw Antrim run away convincing winners.
Speaking to David Mohan of the Irish Examiner after the game, Fitzgerald couldn’t be prouder of his side.
"I'm very proud of them because, during the week, we were extremely sick," said Fitzgerald.
"People thought we were pulling a (fast one) - we weren't. We had 14 or 15 guys that were really sick. Even Friday night, there were four that had to sit out training. We came across that, dealt with it, and fair play to them.
"That's a big thing for me. This was a pressure game today for us, no doubt about it."
Davy’s and Antrim’s attention now fully turns to the Leinster championship as they are after playing their full complement of six games.
"I think we were, by far, the better team today," Fitzgerald said.
"We switched off for 15 minutes in the second half, and then we decided we'd go at it again. But, in general, I think our work rate today was phenomenal.
"The three games that we lost, well, the problem I had is our work-rate deteriorated when we went down seven and a half points. We've talked about that a lot, and that's something we've really got to work on. We're a work in progress, but you've seen what they can do.
"Like, in the Leinster Championship, there'll be no hiding. We've got a bit of work to do now, and I'm really proud of them. It's out of our hands in the league, but I think we've accounted for ourselves."
Fitzgerald also took a shot at those who criticised Antrim's slow start to the league.
“After three games… Jesus, give me a small chance anyhow. Like, give me a chance to do something. I can’t get it right in f**king two months.
“But that’s just people that have to write stuff, and you let them off. Like, I wouldn’t mind only the same results for the last four or five years; it wasn’t any different than some stuff that was happening.
For Laois, they still have their faith in their own hands as wins against Carlow and Dublin would secure safety.
