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'I'm passionate, I'm not going to change' | Davy Fitzgerald reacts to sending off

Davy Fitzgerald was sent off as Wexford and Antrim drew in Division One Group B of the Allianz Na...



'I'm passionate, I'm not going...
Hurling

'I'm passionate, I'm not going to change' | Davy Fitzgerald reacts to sending off

Davy Fitzgerald was sent off as Wexford and Antrim drew in Division One Group B of the Allianz National Hurling League on Saturday.

1-21 to 2-18 was the final score in Corrigan Park as the Saffrons' impressive form in the top tier continues.

Speaking to South East Radio after the game, Fitzgerald felt there was a period they let the game get away from them for a time.

"We could have won it, could have lost it.

"We came out after half-time, we were up five, we had a chance of a goal and two points, if we put them on we'd be nine or ten up, we probably would have cruised then.

"Next thing Matthew [O'Hanlon] gets sent off, next thing the whole game goes against us, trust me up here that's a nightmare.

"For the next 10 or 12 minutes, we were absolutely blitzed because we just couldn't find our feet, the crowd got into it, everything.

"Then when we got the water break we got the shape and we got everything back and we actually controlled the game again.

"The fighting character of the boys is great, Clare came up here and lost, with x amount of minutes to go against Kilkenny it was right there or thereabouts."

The result follows Antrim's impressive opening win over Clare and they have proved themselves as being able for the top tier, where many predicted they'd struggle.

The 2020 Joe McDonagh Cup winners got off to a great start with goals from Conor McDonald and Paul Morris sending them into the lead before Wexford found their rythem.

Fitzgerald was under no illusion of the quality of the opposition they were facing.

"I've been up watching Antrim club hurling for a long time and they're unbelievable.

"Some of the lads were telling me they played them four times and got beaten twice by them.

"It's tough to come up here and play but we dug it out and got a result.

"Do we have to be better? Yes. Do we have to be more clinical? We do.

"I'm not going to be all downbeat, there'll be enough of people like that.

"There was guys back there for their first or second game today and it's going to take them just that bit of time.

"In two or three weeks' time hopefully, we'll be raring for it [the Leinster Championship]."

Fitzgerald was sent to the stands in the latter stages of the first half for an altercation with Antrim's manager - former Tipperary star Darren Gleeson.

He said after the game it wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last, defending it by saying it was part of his 'passionate nature.'

"It isn't the first time it's happened.  It happens, I'm passionate, I'm not going to change.

"If I feel something I'm going to fight for it, my job is to fight for Wexford.

"Me and Darren [Gleeson] had some words about stuff, that's the way it goes. I wouldn't change it, not a hope.

"I'm going to defend them lads, no matter what the story is and if that's the way it goes, that's the way it goes."

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Allianz National Hurling League Antrim Corrigan Park Davy Fitzgerald Wexford