National League champions Clare are out of the Championship after a 2-17 to 0-17 defeat to Galway in Thurles. It continues the Banner's appalling Championship form in the last few years: they've not played at Croke Park since winning the All-Ireland in 2013.
Davy Fitzgerald appeared on the sideline for the All-Ireland quarter-final after a difficult week in which he was admitted to hospital for minor heart surgery. Such matters did not deter Davy from his better nature, however:
Great to see Davy Fitzgerald as animated and passionate as ever on the line today! https://t.co/BtiNYiYOau #RTEgaa https://t.co/wfSbw1j7Rv
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 24, 2016
After the game, Fitzgerald spoke to RTE Sport, in which he appeared magnanimous in defeat. Fitzgerald exhibited a fine sense of perspective after the game, saying that "It's been a tough week. I'd like to thank everyone for the massive support. I suppose the most important thing in life is life".
The Clare boss also praised the spirit and work ethic of his players, while also lavishing praise upon Galway:
The two [goals] we blame ourselves for, but in saying that, the energy and enthusiasm in Galway today was absolutely incredible — the way they tackled, the way they hassled. So whatever about ourselves, the passion they showed today was first class. From a Clare man, I’d like to say well done to them, I thought they did very well.
But on the day, I believe they were the better team, there’s no doubt about it. It’s a long time since I’ve seen Galway as fired up, and fair play to them.
We couldn't help but view Fitzgerald's comments on Galway's motivation through the prism of his comments on Off The Ball last week. Joe Molloy asked Fitzgerald his opinion of Ger Loughnanne's highly critical comments on Galway, whom he termed "gutless". Fitzgerald was unimpressed with Loughnanne potentially firing up Clare's opponents:
Ger musta had a fair idea Clare could end up playing Galway in the next match. And for a Clare man to say that, it's, Jesus, it's tough enough for us to beat Galway without thinking that that's what we think.
Them Galway lads have been to two All-Irelands in 2012 and 2015. They've won a Leinster championship, like. That's not a bad return. There isn't too many teams in the country that have that return.
I'll always have great time for Ger Loughnane for what he did for us in Clare. Sometimes I just don't know why he does stuff like that, whether it's to keep in the media or something like that.
Certainly, for myself and the Clare management, I don't think we agree with that. And I think the facts stand for themselves. If you reach two All-Ireland finals and win a Leinster, you can't be a really bad team.
It is inconceivable to think that Loughnanne's comments were not discussed in the Galway dressing room prior to today's game, and we know that Davy was unimpressed with said comments.
This is not to take away from Davy's post-game comments: they were undoubtedly magnanimous and potentially valedictory: it remains to be seen if the Clare legend will return for 2017.
