We got a great reaction to Charlie Collins’ first ‘Straight Red Card’ sports column last week. This week, Charlie puts Davy Fitzgerald under the microscope and suggests Davy can be one of the greats – if he channels his passion.
IT’S NOT THE DUG-OUTS, IT’S THE BOYS IN THEM!
Davy Dugout!
I better start by saying (just in case someone remembers) that in the past I have been ejected from the technical area during a football game for questioning in a somewhat overzealous manner the decisions of the match officials.
My memory of the incident is that the punishment didn’t fit the crime, but of course I would say that, wouldn’t I?
Earlier this week the Wexford Hurling Manager Davy Fitzgerald received an eight-week touchline ban following his pitch incursion in the recent League semi-final against Tipperary. Davy wasn’t happy with some of the decisions of the match referee and one could somewhat sympathise with his point of view.
However, not for the first time, Davy’s reaction was way over the top and he compounded his ‘pitch invasion’ by becoming involved with two Tipperary players who were not amused by his actions.
Davy’s behaviour could have led to something very serious as some of his players raced in to take his side but thankfully things settled down fairly quickly.
The Wexford County Board has described his ban as ‘harsh’ but somewhat tellingly Davy has decided to accept it and with Championship due to begin shortly the timing of it couldn’t be worse, but he only has himself to blame.
There are many who would suggest that Davy Fitzgerald’s behaviour on and off the pitch as a player and now manager has been unacceptable for many years and has been passed off too often and too easily because of his passion for the game.
The likes of Brian Cody, Jim Gavin, Mickey Harte and Mickey Moran are all passionate about game but could you envisage any of them behaving in the way Davy Fitzgerald did, somehow I doubt it.
Earlier this season I attended a soccer game in the county, and was taking aback by the behaviour of the personnel in both dug-outs.
Having played and watched a lot of football over what’s now a lengthy period of time, I’ve seen and heard and given and taken plenty of verbal stuff during games, so am not easily shocked or surprised.
However, at this particular game the level of abuse being dished out to match officials, players and members of the opposition dug-out was completely unacceptable.
Why? Simple because it was far too personal, there appeared to be nothing that couldn’t be said.
At some stage during the second-half one of the personnel near the visiting team’s dug-out noticed that I was less that amused by some of the verbal stuff that was going on and by way of explanation suggested that the dug-outs were too close together.
It was a valiant but somewhat in vain attempt to justify the goings on.
To be fair he had not been involved in the verbal diarrhea we had endured but still felt a need to find an excuse for those that were. I quickly replied that the dug-outs were not the problem, rather the boys that were in them.
Time will tell if Davy Fitzgerald has at last learned his lesson, there is nothing wrong with being passioniate about your sport, the challenge is controlling it and showing it in a positive way.
The talented Mario Rosenstock does an impersonation of Davy Fitz which brilliantly captures the man we see him to be. For Mario to come up with a new Davy, the one we know needs to change, and it’s never too late to do that!
DONEGAL HURLERS CONTINUE GOOD FORM
Ardal McDermott
It would be hard to imagine the Donegal Hurling manager Ardal Mc Dermott invading the pitch during a game to confront the referee.
Ardal usually appears relatively cool and calm during games but maybe that’s only on the outside.
Last Sunday’s defeat of Armagh in the Nicky Rackard Cup was another big result for Ardal’s team and there is no respite for them as they head to Carrickmore to meet Tyrone in the next round on Saturday.
It will the team’s fourth meeting in a few months and after sharing the first two Donegal impressively won the League final. On current form Donegal will be hard to beat but nothing can be taken for granted.
MISS CHANCES AND PAY THE PRICE
Paddy McCourt at full tilt.
Finn Harps finish off their first round of fixtures against Bohemians in Dublin on Friday night where a win would be a great result.
So far Harps have managed to gather a total of 11 points and interestingly 7 of those have been in away games. I’ve attended their five home games plus the away match in Maginn Park against Derry City and feel that the situation they find themselves in is about par for their performances. Maybe a bit unfortunate to lose to Cork City and to concede that late goal against Shamrock Rovers.
Last Friday night Paddy Mc Court produced a couple a moments of magic to set up goal chances against Drogheda that weren’t taken and Harps paid the price with a third home defeat of the season.
A win over Bohs would leave Ollie’s men in good shape and an improvement at home and in front of goal would help during the next stage of the battle to remain in the Premier Division.
LADIES ON A ROLL
Geraldine McLaughlin who scores the occasional goal for Donegal!
Our Ladies Senior footballers are producing some Brillant displays these days and have reached the League Division One for the first time ever.
The performance against Galway last weekend was exceptional and Cork now await in the Final. The girls have already beaten Cork but will know they face a tough challenge to take the title for a first time.
Speaking to team manager Michael Naughton last week I sensed that he believes the team can achieve much this year. It’s so far so good with much more to come.
AND FINALLY…..
I was in Glasserchoo to see Glenea United clinch the Donegal League Premier Division Title on Sunday. Their 3-0 win over Rathmullan Celtic meant they pipped defending champions Drumoghill Celtic by just one point. In a keenly-contested title race Glenea won the most games and conceded the least goals, always a winning combination that. The day before, the club’s Reserve team retained the Ulster Shield by beating Glencar Celtic 3-2 in the final. Well done Glenea United. Until next week, Slan go Foill.
