Charleville manager says Darragh Fitzgibbon will get ‘the best care’ after setback

Charleville manager Dominic Foley says the entire club is rallying around Cork captain Darragh Fitzgibbon after news that he's to miss the remainder of the county’s Munster SHC campaign due to appendicitis.

Fitzgibbon, a central figure for both Cork and Charleville, underwent surgery over the weekend. While the timing is a setback for the Rebels, Foley said the only focus now is the player’s health and recovery.

“It’s tough on Darragh,” Foley said after Charleville’s emphatic 19-point win over Killeagh in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League at Charleville on Sunday morning.

“He’s hugely important to Cork and obviously to ourselves. But the main thing is he gets right. He’ll get the best care and we’ll support him all the way. Everyone here is thinking of him.

“He’s a leader in our dressing room. The lads look up to him. When something like this happens, the group pulls together. That’s the way it should be.” 

Fitzgibbon’s absence over the weeks ahead is a blow for Cork. Foley acknowledged that losing a player of his calibre is significant for the Rebels.

“Of course Cork will miss him. Any team would. But health comes first. He’ll be back when he’s ready, and we’ll be there for him.” 

Charleville delivered their most complete performance of the league campaign on Sunday morning to move to six points from six games. Foley praised the attitude and sharpness his side showed against Killeagh. 

“We were on the front foot from the start,” he says.

“The intensity was right, the touch was good, and the lads used the ball well. You can’t ask for much more in May. We hit a rhythm early and never really let it go. It’s an important win.

“The league has been very positive for us so far. We’ve been trying to build depth. Fellas have put their hands up. Competition for places is exactly what you want heading into the summer.

“We’ve had good performances, but more importantly, we’ve had fellas driving standards. That’s what you want. The league is about getting work done, and we’ve done that so far.” 

Sunday’s win reflected a team growing in confidence, notwithstanding Charleville’s heavy loss to Midleton in the previous game. Foley said the players showed maturity in how they managed the contest.

“You want to see fellas sticking to the plan, no matter what the scoreboard says,” he stated.

“We kept doing the right things. That’s a good sign. We are happy enough where we stand at the moment. Obviously we want to win every game, and we were determined to win today after what happened against Midleton.

“It was just one of those days on that occasion. Today was a good step. We have responded and it’s a case of focusing on St Finbarr’s next.”