Munster Express Online

The rumour mill has been moving faster in Waterford GAA circles these past few days than a Ballydoyle steed within sight of the winning post.

The rumour mill has been moving faster in Waterford GAA circles these past few days than a Ballydoyle steed within sight of the winning post.

And there’s only one question occupying Deise fans’ minds this week, with the numbness of the Croke Park reversal having just about dissolved: will Davy Fitzgerald remain on Suirside in 2009?

One reporter (through not of this parish) spoke last Friday about being in receipt of “cast iron confirmation” that Fitzgerald would in fact be moving on.

The Irish Mail on Sunday claimed that the 37-year-old two-time All-Ireland winner will step down as Waterford manager in the next few weeks, less than four months after succeeding Justin McCarthy.

The ‘Fitzy to Dublin’ story has been the talk of clubhouses, bars and sportsdesks all week and that will remain the case until an official statement is released by either Fitzgerald or the Waterford County Board.

The morning after the players’ emotional homecoming, which clearly moved Fitzgerald, the Irish Examiner reported that such rumours were as new to the Dublin County Board as anyone else.

Said their chairman Gerry Harrington: “We have a director of hurling already, Colm Burchill, who’s doing a very good job and we’re very happy with him. There are no announcements about this matter coming down the line as far as I know.”

The Waterford County Board, whose chief officers clearly couldn’t be happier with Fitzgerald, will certainly be doing all they can to persuade the manager to stay on.

“[Davy] has well and truly proven himself in the three months that he’s been with us, and he and the players have struck up a tremendous bond,” said County Secretary John O’Leary.

“I honestly don’t know what the situation regarding Davy’s future in Waterford is, but some of those from whom I have heard the current story [from] are people I would place great trust in.”

The firm friendship which Fitzgerald has established with County Chairman Pat Flynn needs little retelling here, such has been the visual strength of the bond between both men before and after matches.

And with the endorsements of those panellists quoted within the last week wholeheartedly in favour of retaining Fitzgerald’s services, it’s clear that the decision facing the Clareman will not be an easy one.

“They will be back, I promise you that,” Fitzgerald said of his panel on a soaking Quayside last Tuesday week. The big question of whether he himself will be back remains unanswered.