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It may have seemed an unusual choice for some, but using a man who honed his defense career as a forward coach is Davy Fitzgerald’s focus.
Like all GAA coaches, Brendan Bugler has to settle for doing what he can do remotely, but Clareman says he’s enjoying bonding once again with his former Wexford manager.
Two and a half years have passed since the Whitegate man hung up his boots between counties in what was a Banner-decorated race. Having made her debut in 2007, the pinnacle would come in 2013 when Clare landed Liam MacCarthy in an absorbing championship.
A dominant presence on the half-turn line, Bugler was a model of consistency throughout his career and his run of two All Stars is only surpassed by three Clare defenders: Brian Lohan (4), Anthony Daly and Seánie McMahon ( both 3).
After cutting his teeth as a coach at the secondary level, he was happy to accept Fitzgerald with the offer of a role with Wexford before the 2020 campaign.
“That [inter-county] became an obsession for those 11 years. I was looking, especially in my last year before retirement, what I could do to replace that, “he told 2fm’s Game On.
“I really enjoyed it.”
The key to the movement was the level of trust built up between the two men in their time with Clare. Their gaming careers only overlapped briefly, but Fitzgerald’s time as Banner’s boss coincided with some of Bugler’s best days in saffron and blue.
“I first met him in 2011. I would have seen him as my commander. I think he saw me as one of his trusted lieutenants.”
“We had a solid relationship and an understanding based on great mutual respect.
“He has been a huge influence on me.”
Interestingly, Bugler’s role focuses more on the attack game of the current Leinster champions than on anything in defense.
“Davy was looking at him from the point of view of the defenders. What would he have hated to be a defender? That’s what I relate to the forwards.”
“I’d like to think that if I was reviewing a game, if I chose certain plays, I think Davy would choose them. We thought the same line in the game going forward.”
At the moment, however, there is no return to action in sight. The GAA says it will be July “at the earliest” before the Championship can begin, but that the Association will take the signal from the government.
Bugler is skeptical of that particular time frame, and admits that it’s difficult for players to maintain their fitness programs in isolation. However, he says that those who stay focused will reap the benefit from the other side.
The boys who are extremely disciplined are the ones who will excel if this starts in July
“From a coach’s point of view, it’s very difficult. You trust and trust the guys who are doing things in the backyard, or against the wall and keeping their eye on it, the touch.”
“I think there can be serious gains in relation to physical appearance
“What you are going to find is the boys who are extremely disciplined, they are the ones who are going to excel if this starts in July.”
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