Davy Fitzgerald's father says his son was appointed Clare manager because he was the best man for the job.

Pat Fitzgerald, who is Clare County Board secretary, came in for a lot of stick when his son got the top post in the Banner County in 2011 but hopes the 2013 All-Ireland SHC success will silence the critics once and for all:

"I was taken aback by the degree of cynicism to the appointment of Davy to the Clare job initially. Opinion was clearly divided and he had to work hard to win the cynics over," Fitzgerald Snr. writes in his report to annual convention.

"I came in for a share of criticism, being accused of nepotism, matching the cronyism that has dogged the Irish political system over the years. But such an assertion couldn't have been further from the truth - Davy's appointment was based on his coaching pedigree.

"I was subjected to a lot of stick, but I stuck to my guns and I think I've been fully vindicated. It wasn't a case of giving a job to my son. It was a case of giving the job to a man who deserved to have a crack at it. He had a proven track-record and was entitled to take his chances.

"I want to nail once and for all the perception that he is getting preferential treatment as regards team preparations. Not true, it has never been the case. People know me as a fair and honest man. Those attitudes came into play with the appointment." Tweet

Most Read Stories