Given that Clare are out of the Munster Championship, Davy Fitzgerald might have thought that he'd be out of the headlines this weekend but alas, he's not. However, it has nothing to do with hurling.
The Irish Independent have revealed that Fitzgerald is being pursued for debts of over €40,000 on his pub in Newmarket-on-Fergus.
There are two separate debts included in that total. In February 2014, a non-payment of local authority rates led to a €35,912 judgement against the pub. Another €4,490 is owed to the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO).
The Clare boss was this week asked about the debt and he didn't take too kindly to that, particularly in the aftermath of his side's narrow loss to Limerick last weekend.
The week we're after being beaten in the championship and I'm getting hell for leather as it is, and now you've decided to do this.
In relation to the debt owed to Clare County Council, Fitzgerald said that meetings had taken place to 'sort it out'. He also confirmed that the IMRO debt was still outstanding, although he was more than willing to address it. However, that wasn't the end of the matter as Fitzgerald made it abundantly clear that he didn't appreciate being asked about the issue.
Listen, I'm getting kicked so fucking much now that you might as well just write away. Ye know it all.
It's difficult to know what to make of this. Critics of Fitzgerald's unique style of management will say that the larger than life persona he presents is bound to attract interest outside the game. Whereas supporters will say that questioning Fitzgerald about historic debts accrued on his pub seems particularly opportunistic this week.
