GAA:DAVY FITZGERALD has been ratified for another year as manager of the Waterford senior hurlers. At a county committee meeting last night the same management team as this year was returned so Pádraig Fanning and Pat Bennett will continue as selectors.

It will be Fitzgerald’s fourth year in charge and despite winning a Munster title and losing in the All-Ireland semi-finals to eventual champions Tipperary, there had been criticism of the manager’s tactics from senior players Dan Shanahan, who has retired, and Ken McGrath.

Fitzgerald also took Waterford to the 2008 All-Ireland final, the county’s first in 45 years, where they were heavily defeated by Kilkenny.

** Brendan Fennelly has been named as the new Laois senior hurling manager for a one-year term following a Laois GAA Board meeting last night in Portlaoise.