Davy Fitzgerald appointed as Waterford manager

27 days after the departure of Liam Cahill, Waterford has a new senior hurling manager.

Davy Fitzgerald is returning to the Déise, 11 years since his first stint at the helm.

The Sixmilebridge native first took up the Waterford job in 2008, guiding the county to the All-Ireland at the first time of asking. It was the first All-Ireland final appearance since 1963.

Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Justin McCarthy stood down after a seven-year period in charge, following a first-round Munster Championship loss to Clare. Fitzgerald was appointed within 10 days and would guide his new county to the decider in Croke Park having gone through the qualifier route. The 3.30 to 1.13 loss to Kilkenny is one that most rather not dwell on.

Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

12 months down the road and the Déise would make it back-to-back Munster final appearances. Drawing 2.15 with Cork, the replay saw Fitzgerald's side outscore the Rebels by a 3-point margin. Tipperary were lying in wait for the All-Ireland series though, a game the Premier would win by seven points.

In his final year in charge, Davy Fitz brought Waterford to the Munster final for the third consecutive year, but once again Tipp proved to be the boogeyman hammering Waterford 7.19 to 0.19. Beating Galway in the quarter-final, a semi-final with Kilkenny spelled the end for Fitzgerald as Brian Cody's Cats ran home as 6-point winners.

Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

The three-time All-Star goalkeeper headed home to the Burren where he would manage his native county to the All-Ireland title in his second year in charge. The Banner saw a fruitful period in the trophy stakes, picking up the league title in 2016 - a first title since 1978 - beating Waterford in a replay.

Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Knocked out of the All-Ireland Championship at the quarter-final stage, Davy stood down as manager saying "One of the greatest privileges of my life".

He would go on to serve Wexford for five years before departing last summer. The Yellowbellies picked up a Leinster title under his guidance.

Since leaving hurling last year, Fitzgerald has been involved with the Cork senior camogie team. He coached the team which beat Waterford in the All-Ireland semi and lost out narrowly to Kilkenny in the final.