Mark Fitzgerald relishing Munster battles
Waterford senior hurler Mark Fitzgerald pictured at the launch of the Munster Senior Championships. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
Matches continue to arrive thick and fast so Mark Fitzgerald is content.
It's been a hectic stint with UL and Waterford, but Fitzgerald relishes the schedule.
Following a lively tussle with Clare in Ennis, Waterford host Tipperary at Azzurri Walsh Park on Sunday. Another game and challenge to embrace. "All I want to be doing is playing hurling, to be training and playing matches," Fitzgerald says.
"All you want to be doing is playing with your friends, that is what we're playing for. That is the enjoyment of playing hurling."
Waterford were relegated from Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League, but nuggets of hope were available in the campaign according to Fitzgerald. "We got a few encouraging performances, we probably didn't get a full 70 minute performance," Fitzgerald reflects.
"We'd halves and 15 minute spells in matches. In fairness, it wasn't the result we were looking for at the start of the League. All we can do from now on is to learn from our League campaign and learn from that and look forward to what is coming ahead."
The Munster SHC is precisely the environment in which Fitzgerald wants to demonstrate his considerable ability. "When I was growing up as a spectator, it was probably the highlight of growing up," Fitzgerald says.
Waterford's Mark Fitzgerald signing autographs following last weekend's Munster SHC defeat against Clare. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
"As a player it is even more exciting in a sense - you know that anything can happen on a day and anything can happen within Munster Championship games. So, all you can do is look forward to that."
Significant underage work has been carried out in Waterford, perfectly illustrated by last year's All-Ireland minor triumph. "Of course, the minors winning, that was huge for the county," Fitzgerald says.
"We've a few of them playing U20, but none of them minors will be in for the next three years maybe so we've to look forward to what is coming ahead with what we have now.
"I think the competition within the group is huge this year, it is something to look forward to, and it is giving us a lot of optimism and excitement."
While Waterford have encountered difficulty in the round robin series, Fitzgerald is adamant that the Deise panel is nicely stocked with quality. "I think we know the potential is there, it's just getting it out of us on the day," he responds.
"The results didn't go our way in the last few years, but all you can do is learn from that and go again. Once one game is finished, I don't think you've time to look back on it. You just have to look forward in the Munster Championship. It is week on week, the games come thick and fast."
Tipperary is the next tussle on the agenda for Peter Queally's team.
