*David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Chris Copley
Clare’s senior hurlers are to be without David Fitzgerald until the knockout stages of the Allianz National Hurling League at the earliest.
Fitzgerald picked up a hamstring injury in Clare’s third round win over Laois in Cusack Park last weekend. Sunday’s draw with Kilkenny secured the Banner’s place in the knockout stage of the League, this weekend they face Dublin to determine what position they finish and whether they will be in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.
While those technicalities have to be ironed out, it has been confirmed by manager Brian Lohan that they will be without the towering Inagh/Kilnamona utility man for “the next couple of weeks”. As such he will miss the scheduled quarter-finals on March 7th and remains a major doubt for a potential semi-final on March 14th.
A starter in Clare’s first three games of the League, Fitzgerald has been one of the standout performers at centre forward with 0-05 to his name following wins over Wexford and Carlow. Though he lined out in defence and midfield under Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor, the UL graduate is more accustomed to attack where his aerial and shooting ability is used to its maximum.
Lohan singled out the twenty four year old for the leadership shown during his four months in charge. “David Fitz, David McInerney, Tony Kelly they are really hard workers, their figures are always at the top of the class, they work really hard whether it is training or a match they are the lads pushing it out”.
