Considering that Waterford made quite a bit of progress in this summer's championship, it was somewhat of a surprise to see Davy Fitzgerald step aside as manager at the end of their season.
The county had gone through some major struggles in recent times, including when they were relegated in the league earlier this year. However, there was a sense that they were finally fulfilling their potential with some of their displays in the Munster Championship.
A couple of costly errors would see them eliminated at the round robin stage, but it was expected that Davy Fitzgerald would lead them again in 2025.
However, he decided to move on.
Speculation has been rife in recent weeks as to what his next step will be, especially in light of the Galway job becoming available. The Clare man has almost moved to the Connacht county in the past, including during a very public recruitment process in 2021 that ultimately ended with the appointment of Henry Shefflin.
While Fitzgerald wanted the job on that occasion, he also came close to taking it a couple of years before that.
READ HERE: Kerry Star Set To Head To Australia Amid Rumoured AFL Interest
Davy Fitzgerald Recalls Why He Previously Turned Down Galway Job
Speaking on The GAA Social, Davy Fitzgerald has admitted that he would be open to talking to Galway about their current managerial vacancy.
He went on to describe how close he came to taking the job in both 2019 and 2021, the former of which came about while he was still Wexford boss. Despite agreeing the move, he opened up on why he changed his mind at the last second.
A few years ago I had an opportunity to take it. Lets just say it was pretty nailed on. I pulled out at the last second...
After the [Wexford] game against Tipp in 2019, I told the chairman 'I can't do this, I'm just wrecked and I'm going'. He told me to take six weeks.
After four or five, I was approached by someone and spent a good bit of time with him. He asked me would I do Galway. Eventually after a few weeks of humming and hawing, because of the Wexford lads and I didn't want to leave them down, I rang that person and said 'I'll do it'.
That was on a Saturday, they were meant to announce it on the following Thursday. On the Wednesday, I got a few calls from two [Wexford] players. What they said to me blackmailed me emotionally.
I remember going back into Sharon and saying 'I can't leave them down', so I changed my mind. I had to ring that other person back...
Roll on two years from that and the Galway job came up again. I said to them 'I understand what I did the last time, but don't talk to me unless you're serious about doing it, if you want to get someone else go and do it'.
I was led to believe it was there. Then a few hours before Henry [Shefflin] was unveiled, they told me they had a change of mind. I said that's probably payback for the last time.
Do I hold a grudge? Not at all, I don't whatsoever.
It remains to be seen if a third Galway opportunity will emerge for Davy Fitzgerald over the coming weeks.
The county has certainly underperformed in recent times, although there has been a suggestion that their next managerial appointment will come from inside the county.
SEE ALSO: The Last Cork Team To Win The All-Ireland Hurling Title - Where Are They Now?
