Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald has launched an astonishing attack on RTÉ analysts Michael Duignan and Henry Shefflin after his side were knocked out of the Hurling Championships.
Waterford booked their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals with a four-point victory in Páirc Uí Chaoimh to book their place against either Galway or Cork next month.
It's been a successful year for Wexford, with Fitzgerald's opening season being deemed as a hit. Despite that, Shefflin and Duignan were among many not happy with the Wexford tactics.
Who is marking who in this game ? One would hate to be playing in the full forward line - or be a forward full stop 😱#WatvWex
— Henry Shefflin (@ShefflinHenry) July 23, 2017
Sweepers should be outlawed! Not the game I love. Coach players to tackle & to use their heads instead of using extra backs to compensate!
— Michael Duignan (@DuignanMichael) July 23, 2017
After the match, Fitzgerald was asked by the media about his tactics being questioned. Duignan and Shefflin were not even named in the question, but the former Clare goalkeeper did not hold back.
I think Michael Duignan and Henry have had a go. Let me say this straight out, Michael Duignan and Henry have never managed any team at a high level. The people need to wake up, so they do.
If they want the same one or two teams to play hurling and be successful that’s fine. Myself and Derek [McGrath] are trying to bring teams to the fore that haven’t been to the fore in a long time and I’m very strong about this.
It’s great for the likes of Michael Duignan, he should have had an opinion on something recently and he didn’t have it, when he should have stood up. It’s time now Michael Duignan stopped this messing.
The job Derek McGrath has done and the stick he has taken is totally unwarranted. What he has done for Waterford and bringing them back to the top is incredible and I am backing him 110%.
You tell me that’s a bad game of hurling, some of the scores? Short and long ball, every sort of ball or do we just play the long ball and hit it and that’s it? I don’t agree with that and I think they are totally out of order.
I think RTÉ should go and have a look at themselves and get analysts who have been on the sideline and who know what the story is about. That’s how I feel strongly about it. Easy, easy to knock people.
I’d like to see their track records when it comes to it, when it comes to managing. It’s a lot different to playing. I can promise you that.
Wexford are out, but Davy will defend his tactics to the hilt, no matter who questions them.
