‘Expect something different’
EAMONN Fitzmaurice says the Kerry public can expect something different and new from the senior football team this summer but, understandably, refused to expand on what that something new might be. Fitzmaurice has also conceded that there has been some degree of disconnect between the Kerry supporters and the team and management but says that the team has to give the public something to cheer about and the public in return has to back the management and the team through thick and thin.
Fitzmaurice was speaking on Radio Kerry’s Terrace Talk programme on Monday evening in a wide-ranging interview with Tim Moynihan in which the Kerry manager said the only opinion that matters to him is his own and that of his selectors.
Asked if people can expect something different this summer in terms of style of play or tactics Fitzmaurice said: “Yes. Every year you have to evolve. We are evolving. We tried out different things during the league. Some worked, some didn’t, some will add to us during the summer. That’s, ultimately, what it is all about. Getting game-plans and styles of play in place will maximise the talent at our disposal and get us over the line in games.
“To answer your question, there has to be different things. What we brought the last couple of years hasn’t been good enough. We just have to slightly tweak things, keep improving, keep innovating.
Asked if sometimes supporters forget that managers have feelings and a family, Fitzmaurice said “possibly” but added that he was “tough enough”.
“I don’t see (criticism), really, to be honest. I don’t see what is in the papers, especially for the championship. I read nothing. I am not on social media. I’ve enough to be doing and I’ve to try and keep my mind clear and trust what I am at and what the lads in management are at with me. I’ve enough of expertise around me without wondering what every tom, dick and harry things. Everyone has an opinion and that’s healthy. That is what makes sport great. Ultimately, and with all due respect to people, their opinions don’t count. Our opinions count. That’s it. That’s what I trust. We are tough enough. We keep the head down and we plough on.
“We the management give everything we have for Kerry and to try and improve the lads. At times, I do think there is a them and us. There is no them and us. It is all us. It is all Kerry. We are all in it together; management, players, supporters, clubs. Everyone is striving for the same thing. Ultimately, in Kerry, you have to be successful. When you are successful, it is grand. When you are not, there is going to be question marks. I’m comfortable with that.
“We are all in it together and I think that we as group have to give the supporters something to cheer and the supporters have to back us through thick and thin both in games and after games, and when you get that dynamic right it can be fierce energetic and that collective spirit can be very powerful.
With regard to the on-going Championship preparations Fitzmaurice said that most of the squad has come through the group phase of the club championships unscathed, and most players are now available to the Kerry cause.
“James O’Donoghue is almost back. He is just about to get back into training. He has been unlucky over the winter. He worked very hard and then picked up a freak injury against Donegal. He has just been nursing that and getting back to full health. He is almost back, thankfully. Hopefully, he’ll get a club or two in over the next couple of weeks and get that bit of sharpness back into him, as well.
“Donnchadh is back, Anthony (Maher) is back, Kieran (Donaghy) back. Killian (Young) is still a couple of weeks away but has made good progress. It has been frustrating for him because he has been out for a good while with it. He has been very diligent. Killian is three to four weeks away.
With regard to the Munster Championship, which starts for Kerry on June 3, Fitzmaurce said: “From David Clifford right up to Kieran Donaghy, it’ll come down to form during the summer. That’ll decide who’s on the starting 15. When it comes to the big games during the summer, having that voice of experience in the dressing-room is essential. The younger lads, starting out, need to be shown the way. The lads that are back on the experienced side, they are not just there from the point of view of experience. They are there because they can play, because they can bring something. They’ll be fighting on their backs for spots, the same as everyone else.”