Tipperary’s Cathal Barrett spares a thought for old mentor Fitzgerald

Not many people outside of Clare are speaking in openly glowing terms about Davy Fitzgerald these days, although Cathal Barrett reckons he’s being misunderstood even if it’s true that Fitzgerald “expects perfection from his players”.

The Tipperary defender – and 2014 Young Hurler of the Year – credits Fitzgerald for helping him get spotted in the first place, during the Fitzgibbon Cup campaign last year.

Barrett was part of the Limerick IT team managed by Fitzgerald.

“I know he’s a bad name and all that,” says Barrett, “but I found him very good, and I think that’s where I first got spotted, playing in the Fitzgibbon Cup, up against UCD, I think. That was with Davy.

“In fairness, he does do everything for you, he’s a very good trainer, and he would get very motivated as well. And I wouldn’t really mind his antics on the sideline. That’s more for the crowd, really. The roaring and shouting, people do misinterpret that, as maybe some negative influence on the players. But I never found that at all. He expects perfection from his players, I suppose, and that’s understandable, really.”

Healthy attitude

Barrett also credits Fitzgerald as having a healthy attitude towards the demands of training:

“We only trained once or twice a week (with Limerick IT), around 1pm, for around 45 minutes. Because most of the lads are on county teams, training four or five nights a week. So he accommodates that. Being an intercounty manager, he knows the craic.”

Barrett’s comments come on the back of the recent controversy surrounding the departure of Clare 2013 All-Ireland winners Davy O’Halloran and Nicky O’Connell. Both players left the panel after being disciplined for socialising.

The Clare panel have since released a statement taking issue with O’Halloran’s remarks, and saying the relevant matters had been “dealt with fairly”. Now, it appears the Gaelic Players Association have followed suit, also issuing a statement in which they appear to indicate that no further action is to be taken on the matter.

“Having looked into the situation in Clare and having consulted with parties involved, the Gaelic Players Association’s dealings in this matter are and will remain of a confidential nature. We have outlined to the players involved that GPA support is available to them through our programmes and services. In respect to all parties, the GPA will be making no further comment.”

Barrett, meanwhile, is expecting to be fit again for Tipperary’s Allianz Hurling League quarter-final against Offaly on Sunday, having missed last week’s dramatic comeback victory over Cork due to the flu. Still only 21, he’s keen to get as much league experience as possible, yet also admits that it’s not easy sitting out games when the competition is so high.

“Eamon O’Shea has definitely strengthened up the bench,” says Barrett. “He’s brought in a couple of new lads. John McGrath, Mikey Breen, Ronan Maher, new blood, which gives a massive boost. So you can’t be missing any games, really, with lads chomping at your heels, especially the likes of Michael Cahill and Paddy Stapleton, still to come back too. So it was hard to cry off last Sunday.”

Second season

Barrett admits too that he feels that extra layer of expectation to go out and perform.

“ I got the second season syndrome mentioned to me a couple of hundred times now. So you would feel a small bit of pressure but I’ll take it in my stride really.”

Barrett sees Sunday’s game as another step in Tipp’s quest to win the league. “It would be nice to win the league final. Winning is a habit, and you can keep believing, following through in Munster, and the championship. It would be a step but it would be a massive step.”