'Waterford Wanted To Show Me A Message': Davy Fitz Hurting After Latest Antrim Loss

Waterford made light work of their trip to Corrigan Park with a comprehensive 2-23 to 0-11 win over Antrim on Sunday

Peter Queally reintroduced several returning players, including Stephen Bennett, Iarlaith Daly and Conor Prunty, who all made big impacts.

Waterford were in a commanding 2-14 to 0-4 lead heading into the break with the Ulster side only managing a single point from play in the first half.

This was the first time Antrim manager Davy Fitzgerald had come up against his former side since leaving last season after failing to get the Déise out of Munster for the last two seasons.

The former All-Ireland winning manager and player with Clare can’t put his finger on why his side is failing to perform after another disappointing display to match their previous ones against Offaly and Dublin.

"I'm looking at myself, what we're doing in training and everything, but I've said from day one here that an issue is not fighting hard enough," Fitzgerald reflected.

"I'm not going to give up on that. I'm going to stay with it and see if we can get it right, but I feel gutted for Antrim supporters and the people putting in hard work.

He told the BBC Northern Ireland that Waterford wanted to teach him a lesson, and said Antrim's issues were psychological.

"If you come and see us train, we are savage, so [in games] it is a psychological thing not a physical one,.2

"I feel gutted for Antrim supporters and the people putting in hard work. How we play and how we train are completely different.

"You shouldn't be beat by that many points at home. Waterford were on song today and wanted to show me a message since I didn't go back down there, and they did."

Fitzgerald also said he's looking himself in the mirror.

"Don't think I don't look at myself, I'm looking at everything but that issue of not fighting hard enough was there before I was, but I'm not going to give up, I'm going to get that fight right.

"If I can't do it, I will let someone else, I'm not here to glorify myself, I am here to help and see if I can make things better, that is the only reason I put myself through this."

The defeat put the Saffrons in a real predicament. With Carlow and Laois left to play, they could be relegated to Division 2 in 2026.

Waterford and Queally will now turn their attentions to Dublin next weekend in Walsh Park. After the Dubs lost to Offaly, it will effectively be a winners-take-all clash.

“Our promotion push will hinge on that match," Queally added.

"I'd have preferred it had Dublin won last night, but it's a wide-open promotion race now with three, four, and five teams in with a chance."

With Tadgh De Burca and Austin Gleeson returning to the fold, things are looking up for Waterford and co.