ÉAMONN FITZMAURICE WILL continue in his role as Kerry football manager for the 2018 season, and may remain at the helm until 2020 as part of a three-year development plan proposed by the county board.
Fitzmaurice’s future has been the subject of much speculation following The Kingdom’s disappointing All-Ireland semi-final replay exit to Mayo, but a statement released by Kerry GAA chairman Tim Murphy aligned with recent media reports in confirming that Fitzmaurice will keep the reins until at least the end of next year.
A high number of players past and present, including Marc Ó Sé and Darran O’Sullivan, had called for Fitzmaurice’s retention in spite of criticism towards his tactics in Kerry’s Championship exit.
Murphy’s statement will have come as a relief to those in Kerry who have called for patience during what amounts to a transitional period for the current crop.
“I am pleased to advise that the Kerry Senior Football Team manager, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, has confirmed that he will continue in his role for the 2018 season. His current management team will remain in place and additions to the backroom team will be announced in due course,” said the Kerry GAA chairman.
“This decision is very welcome and removes any uncertainty, allowing us to begin our preparations for the forthcoming season.
“Despite winning the Allianz League and Munster football titles this year and the continuing unprecedented success at under-age and schools grades, we all fully recognise and acknowledge the great hunger for senior championship success among the Kerry GAA community.
Murphy continued: “Working closely with Éamonn and his management team, the Kerry County Board is determined to provide the resources and supports necessary in order to ensure that Kerry achieves this success as soon as possible.
“To that end, the County Board and the Senior Team management have agreed to develop in the coming months, a 3 year programme of supports for the senior panel, with particular emphasis on player development and progression together with strength and conditioning. The imminent completion of the Centre of Excellence in Currans will enable us to deliver these programmes within a state of the art facility in a co-ordinated and streamlined approach.
In order to provide stability and underpin this programme I will be proposing that Éamonn Fitzmaurice be ratified as senior manager for a further two year term (2019/2020) at the next Co. Committee Meeting on 16th October next. This proposal was unanimously supported by the Executive of the Kerry County Board at a meeting last evening.
“I am very confident that a strong collective effort will ensure that the phenomenal success we have achieved at minor level will be translated into senior success in the coming years.”
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