Davy Fitzgerald insists he’s going nowhere after Waterford’s Championship exit was confirmed without picking up a point or scoring a goal.
The Deise boss also hit out at “one of the clowns from Clare” who he says was laughing down at him on the sideline during their 12-point defeat.
It’s not the first occasion Fitzgerald has made claims against the Bannermen, adding that he’s well able for the criticism.
READ MORE: Dublin boss Dessie Farrell questions future of provincial championships after Louth stroll
He blasted: “I won’t take anything personal. I’m used to getting battered over the last few years and that’s fine, work away. I’m f****** going no place.
“You see one of the clowns there from Clare looking at me, laughing, and having a great time. That has no place, I hate that bulls***.
“I will 100% say to you now that I really hope Clare do as good as they can and bring silverware back.
“The respect I have for the Clare players is massive and I wish them the best from all in Waterford.”
In a feisty sideline encounter, John Keenan red-carded a mentor from either side at the start of the second half after some exchanges going down the tunnel to the dressing rooms.
There was also a first-half red for Calum Lyons, with Fitzgerald conceding the two yellows were “probably warranted if you go by the letter of the law”. “It’s disappointing, the decision in the first half was the game. That was it, done and dusted,” added Fitzgerald.
“If you look at the first half, we had 23 shots to their 15. We were well in control of the game. We had the chances.
“Once the sending off came, we were in a bit of trouble. There was no comparison in the second half, Clare outhurled us and outplayed us, 110%.
“On our own side, we know we have one or two issues to sort out. We knew that after the Cork game. We know we’re going to get a bit of stick back at home, we deserve it and that’s fine, but we’re not going to run from the issues.
“We know what they are, we’re going to deal with them and we’re going to come back fighting. By the way, in two weeks’ time we won’t be turning up just to fulfil a fixture.”
When asked what those issues were, Fitzgerald replied: “That’s personal. That’s with us and I think that should remain with us no matter what the story is.”
WATERFORD: B Nolan; C Gleeson, C Prunty, I Daly; M Fitzgerald, C Lyons, J Fagan; J Barron (0-1), D Lyons; P Hogan (0-1), J Prendergast, N Montgomery; S Bennett (0-7f), A Gleeson (0-3, 2f), D Hutchinson (0-2). Subs: Patrick Fitzgerald for Hogan 51, Padraig Fitzgerald for A Gleeson 58, P Curran 0-2 for Montgomery 60, P Leavey for Daly 62.
CLARE: E Quilligan; A Hogan, C Cleary, R Hayes; D Ryan (0-2), J Conlon, D McInerney; D Fitzgerald, C Malone (1-1); P Duggan, T Kelly (0-13, 8f, 1 65), I Galvin (1-1); R Taylor (0-1), S O’Donnell (0-2), M Rodgers. Subs: S Meehan (0-1) for Galvin 52, P Flanagan for McInerney 54, S Morey for Hayes 60, R Mounsey (0-1) for Rodgers 62, A Shanagher for Ryan 64.
REFEREE: J Keenan (Wicklow).
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