By Cian O'Connell

Wexford hurler Lee Chin is adamant that Pauric Fanning will enjoy a productive stint in charge of the Waterford senior team.

Fanning served as a selector under Davy Fitzgerald in Wexford for the past two years and Chin believes that the new Deise boss has the requisite passion to make an impact with his native county.

Last month Fanning was unveiled as Waterford's new boss succeeding the popular Derek McGrath, who stepped down from the role during the summer.

“Looking at Pauric with Davy for the last few years he would have learned a lot,” Chin says. “It is a whole new challenge for him and I think it is one he will really relish.

“Pauric is a leader and we learned a lot from him in Wexford. We have great time for him and we still do obviously.

“It was a bit of a strange one because none of us from Wexford expected that Pauric would go to Waterford to get the top job, but I'm absolutely delighted for him, and I think he is going to do a great job there.

“Definitely, you could see that quality in him and that is what he was aiming towards at some stage in his career.

“I'm just delighted he is with his own county, the county he is going to be the most passionate about, I think that is something I'd describe Paraic as if I was asked to do so in one word: passionate. With Waterford I think he is going to have a great time there.”

Chin admits Fanning’s departure is a blow for Wexford. “Of course, we have a lot of time for him and we learned a lot from him throughout the last two years,” Chin states.

“He offloaded a lot of wisdom and knowledge and his passion was very infectious as well. We will miss him in Wexford for sure, but we will probably cross paths later on in the year as well. I just wish him all the best.”