Colm Bonnar and Paraic Fanning will put their friendship aside for Saturday's Division 1B match between Waterford and Carlow at Fraher Field.
They have known each for over thirty years through WIT. "I came here as a student in 1988 and Colm was the GAA Development Officer," Fanning explained. "We go back a long way!"
Fanning was captain of the first WIT team to win the Fitzgibbon Cup in 1992 with Bonnar as manager. Three years later, the roles were reversed with Bonnar lifting the trophy and Fanning patrolling the sideline. The current Carlow boss has been involved in seven of WIT's nine Fitzgibbon triumphs.
Both managers currently work at WIT. "We'll be barking in our orders on the sideline," Bonnar said. "We'll shake hands before it and we'll shake hands afterwards."
Bonnar hopes that they can build on their surprise draw against Galway two weeks ago. "Our lads are looking to move on from that performance. It's about being consistent and pushing the bigger teams as far as you can. Saturday will be another chance for us to improve as a team and then attack Laois and Offaly in our last two games."
Fanning is looking forward to Waterford's first home match in league or championship since March 2018.
Listen to the full interview with Paraic Fanning and Colm Bonnar on Lár Na Páirce from 6.10 this evening on WLR.
