Davy Fitzgerald to take break from inter-county management in 2027 The former All-Ireland-winning Clare player and manager stepped down as Antrim senior boss in May following two seasons in charge. Tue, 15 Sep, 2026 – 16:49Paul Keane
Davy Fitzgerald has revealed he’ll take a break from the inter-county game in 2027 after almost 40 years of unbroken activity.
The former All-Ireland-winning Clare player and manager stepped down as Antrim senior boss in May following two seasons in charge.
It was his 37th consecutive season of involvement in the inter-county game, either as a player with Clare teams or in a coaching/management capacity.
The Sixmilebridge man maintained that he definitely won’t be involved with any team in the upcoming season, acknowledging that being a ‘small bit stale’ was part of his decision.
The former Waterford and Wexford boss also said that he has been sounded out about a couple of roles for the upcoming campaign but knocked them back.
“It’s the first time in 38 years…like, I was playing for 18, 19 years and managing at the top level for 18 or 19 years, probably managing over 30 years in total,” said Fitzgerald on RTÉ Radio. “So it’s the first time I can say that I need time out, I’m 100 percent certain. I have been approached about one or two jobs but I don’t (want them). I’m happy to not do it for a small while anyway.”
Speaking in a separate interview with Virgin TV at the National Ploughing Championships, Fitzgerald said there’ll be no turning back on his decision.
“I’ve just made a definite decision on that, there won’t be anything next year, that’s for sure, no matter what happens,” he said. “I won’t, I just think I need that bit of a breather. It’s been a long time, maybe (I’m) a small bit stale myself, I need to look at a few things and take a bit of time, spend it with the family.”
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Fitzgerald also had his say on integration, arguing that joining the GAA with the ladies gaelic football and camogie associations is ‘a no-brainer’ and ‘has to happen’.
Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese stepped down as chair of the steering committee on integration last week, citing frustration and disillusionment with the stance of the GAA’s management committee.
“I trained Cork camogie a few years ago and you realise the budget they have, compared to what we probably have in the hurling,” said Fitzgerald, who coached Cork to the 2022 All-Ireland camogie final.
“It’s not near the same and it’s not fair. It has to definitely come up a long way. There might be issues that we have to deal with along the way to get it there. I think we can (do it), that’s for definite. But I think it has to happen.
“It’s a no-brainer, it has to happen. We have to give a lot more to what they’re doing. They put on an unbelievable show, be it Gaelic football or camogie. And the amount of time that’s put into it is off the charts.”
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John Cleary hopes to finalise Cork backroom team in ‘next couple of weeks’
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