Davy Fitzgerald's appointment as Antrim manager took many by surprise, just weeks after his abrupt departure as Waterford boss.
Fitzgerald stepped aside as Waterford manager just two years into his planned three-year return to the role, in a decision which few in the county were expecting.
His next move was nearly as surprising, with the Clare hurling legend appointed Antrim manager two weeks ago.
Fans of the Saffrons will be hoping that Fitzgerald can work the same magic with the team that he has with Waterford, Clare, and Wexford in the past, though the climb to the top will be significantly tougher for Antrim than any of those three counties.
For Fitzgerald and his family, however, the more relaxed expectations might just be the biggest positive behind moving to the Ulster county.
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Davy Fitzgerald explains the key difference between Antrim and Waterford hurling
28 August 2024; Antrim manager Davy Fitzgerald during the Pro Am before the KPMG Women’s Irish Open 2024 at Carton House Golf Club in Maynooth, Kildare. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
In an interview with the Irish News this week, Davy Fitzgerald revealed that he had had to convince his wife Sharon that the move to Antrim would be worthwhile for the Fitzgerald family.
The family's time in Waterford had been tough, Fitzgerald revealed, as the intense expectations from Déise supporters ultimately took their toll on Sharon and the household.
Austin Gleeson has in the past hinted at the immense pressure Waterford players feel, and Davy Fitzgerald suggested this week that he believes the atmosphere around Antrim hurling could be a more pleasant one.
Waterford would have been tougher because we lost a few league games by a point or two.
You’ve to win every game even if you’ve eight or nine of your team not playing. You’re meant to win them all which is next to impossible, yet our Championship run was different.
So, she probably never got the same experience in Waterford. I said to Sharon that I really believe the people of Antrim are different.
If you lose a game, they won’t be at your throat every two seconds; they’re not that kind of people. We talked about a lot of stuff.
Fitzgerald also revealed that his son Daithí Óg had been sent a county jersey by a member of the Antrim hurling setup, something which endeared the county to his family.
It will be intriguing to see what effect Davy Fitz's arrival will have on Antrim's fortunes. However, the Clare man certainly seems content with his decision early in his tenure.
You can read his full interview in the Irish News here.
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