Peter Queally: I was surprised by Davy Fitz departure

Incoming Waterford manager Peter Queally admits that Davy Fitzgerald's departure from the role came as a surprise when it was announced early last month.

Fitzgerald stepped down with a year left on his three-year term, after a season in which Waterford were perceived to have made progress, putting up their most respectable showing yet in the Munster SHC round-robin, albeit falling marginally short of progressing to the All-Ireland series.

Queally, a selector with Fitzgerald during the latter's two stints in Waterford, and a former manager of the county's footballers, was subsequently installed as his successor, with former Tipperary great Eoin Kelly and Waterford stalwart Dan Shanahan arriving as part of the package.

The new boss bluntly admits that when Davy Fitz started gently floating the idea that 2024 might be his last year in Waterford, he was inclined to dismiss the notion.

"I was surprised," Queally told Des Cahill on RTÉ Sunday Sport.

"He did say after the year was out, he was 50:50. I kind of didn't believe him. I thought, jaysus, we're going well.

"In the end, he did go into the different reasons. He took his time, he didn't announce it straight away.

"But when he did announce it, I must admit I was a little bit surprised."

With Davy Fitz now bound for Antrim, Queally's installation as manager represents continuity for a Waterford side who will begin next season in the second tier of the league, following their failure to crack the top-four in Division 1 Group A last year.

The new manager has already received a boost with Austin Gleeson confirming his return in 2025, the former Hurler of the Year having opted out last summer, and Queally stresses that a county in Waterford's position cannot afford to be without their