Fitzmaurice ratified for Kingdom’s 2020 vision

EAMONN FITZMAURICE was ratified as Kerry football manager until the end of the 2020 campaign at last night’s county board meeting in Tralee, despite what chairman Tim Murphy described the “misgivings” of some clubs.

After Murphy outlined his reasons for proposing that Fitzmaurice be handed two further seasons when he sees out his current three-year term at the end of 2018, some delegates expressed reservations.

The chairman accepted that some clubs had been in touch “expressing their feelings and some of their misgivings” but he insisted retaining the services of Fitzmaurice would “empower the manager to make the changes that are necessary” and “provide a stable environment” for the Kingdom squad.

There was a feeling among some delegates that the board should wait until after the 2018 campaign to make a decision.

However, Murphy stated he had met with Fitzmaurice on half a dozen occasions since their All-Ireland semi-final replay defeat to Mayo to discuss their plans. And after the discussion, Fitzmaurice was ratified last night without a vote.

Fitzmaurice’s management team was also confirmed and his selectors will again be Mikey Sheehy, Maurice Fitzgerald and Liam Hassett. However, it is expected that there will be changes to his backroom team in the area of strength and conditioning.

Peter Keane was also confirmed as minor boss for another two seasons. The county go in search of a fifth consecutive All-Ireland minor title in 2018.