Davy Fitzgerald mulls over Antrim future and calls for major GAA sideline shake-up
DAVY FITZGERALD is still weighing up his Antrim future.
And the
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Ian O'Connell from Killarney, Kerry, who received a modified Ford at the launch of the 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge from Antrim manager and All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge ambassador Davy Fitzgerald
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Davy Fitzgerald has mulled over his Antrim future before calling for a major shake-up in the GAA
In the wake of his side's
The Limerick man was a linesman on a day that saw Antrim's Delcan McCloskey sent off.
Fitzgerald, who was charged with 'misconduct considered to have discredited the association', was subsequently slapped with an eight-week suspension.
The former Waterford boss also served a ban for his first game in charge of Antrim back in January — the National League clash with Dublin — for confronting ref Liam Gordon after the Déise's defeat to Clare last year.
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Speaking at yesterday's launch of the Circet All-Ireland
'Did I tell lies afterwards? I didn't. That's how I felt. I said what I felt. That was it and I got my suspension.
'Probably the thing I'll ask is does everybody get treated the same way? I don't know. I got a suspension last year. I did not abuse Liam Gordon last year.
'I'm telling you that right here, right now. I did not abuse him. I look at other things that have happened this year.
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'If you look at certain things and you look at the Waterford-Clare game last year, I got a suspension for that.
'I could pick different examples. The only thing I'd like to see, and I'm not saying I don't deserve it at times, I'm not saying that.
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'I'm saying that it has to be across the board.'
Opening channels of communication between officials and managers would help to address inconsistency in refereeing, according to Fitzgerald.
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Another suggestion he believes could 'make life easier for referees' would be a requirement for bainisteoirs to watch games from the stand.
The Clare native explained: 'Take the management off the sideline and put them in the same as rugby have it.
'But allow yourself a runner that if you want to make one or two changes in the first half, second half, do it.
"Even if you have your stats crew and your management up there and you have your own place, you look at the Andy Farrells, you look at them, they have their information there.'
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Fitzgerald also admitted that he would be open to the introduction of video technology if it assisted referees in making the right calls.
He said: 'Refs are human. They're going to make mistakes.
'I'd love to see a situation, if they're not sure about something, wouldn't it be nice?
'I'm not saying you do this every two seconds, but I know in one of the games that I saw at the weekend, if the ref had a second opportunity to look at it, I think he'd have made a different decision.
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'If he's in doubt, help him. That's all.'
Fitzgerald, who was named Antrim manager last August, only has positive things to say about his working relationship with the players and the county board.
Despite their relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup, as well as criticism from respected Antrim figures like Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, Fitzgerald also insisted that he has received significant support from clubs in the county.
However, the three-time All-Star goalkeeper plans to discuss the matter with his wife Sharon and county chairman Séamus McMullan before deciding if he will take on the considerable travel commitments again next year.
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The 53-year-old said: 'I actually love them up there.
'I know we had Sambo being a bit negative and stuff. That's going to happen and you accept that.
'But in general, I got a lot of support up there. I love the people the way they are.
'It's a big decision going forward. I need to sit down and have a right good chat.
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'I left myself alone after and I didn't want to think about it when it's over. But now I've started to talk to a few people.
'I've done a report. Myself and Sharon need to have another conversation about it. I'll meet Séamus. I'll have a good conversation with him. That's important.
'There has to be a number of boxes ticked from my point and from their point.
'Unless Davy Fitz is 100 per cent in it with his drive and his goal, he's no good.
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'I need to make sure that's the way. I need to make sure I'm OK with the travel.
'The county, how they are to me, it couldn't be better. So that will come in the next weeks. But I love being a part of them boys.
'Do I think if I was to stay for the next two or three years that it could make a difference?
'Yeah. I'm saying that out loud. I'd be very confident.'
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ANTRIM FUTURE
On Fitzgerald's watch, Antrim preserved their Division 1B status.
However, their three-year stay in the Liam MacCarthy Cup ended after they lost to Offaly in a de facto relegation play-off.
On the prospect of staying on for another year, Fitzgerald added:
'Would I be disappointed in myself if I didn't do a second one? I would.
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'But health wise, family wise, I want to do the right thing — whatever that right thing is.
'In the last week or so, I've started to really think about it. Over this next ten days, I will and I'll try and do the right thing.
'But the right thing has a few different factors. That's genuine.'
l DAVY FITZGERALD attended the launch of the 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge in Michael Lyng Motors, Kilkenny. This year's Challenge, in aid of GAA-related charities, takes place at Killarney Golf and Fishing Resort on October 16 and 17
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