Paddy Stapleton believes Davy Fitzgerald will have his Wexford side “pumped up” for their All-Ireland quarter-final against Clare.

The Yellowbellies are looking to reach their first All-Ireland semi-final since 2007 but will have to edge past Fitzgerald’s native county – who dumped him in 2016.

Fitzgerald enjoyed a five-year reign with the Banner County. Image: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Fitzgerald chose not to comment on facing his former employers because of them being “too close to his heart” in the aftermath of Wexford’s win over Westmeath.

And Stapleton, speaking on The Hurling Show, is expecting Fitzgerald to relish the opportunity of getting one over the Banner County.

“This is the way he wants to coach,” Stapleton said.

“Obviously he’s very good tactically and looks at that in-depth but he’s a fierce motivator. You’d hear from former players that he gets inside your head.

“After a year-and-a-half the messages are may be flagging because you can’t listen to the same messages over and over and similar motivation.

“This is made for him and they have a great chance of winning. I would say you’ll see a very pumped up Wexford because it will have that extra bite for him and it should show in the players.”

James Hopper