Chairman hails Fitzgerald’s new role as selector

THE ratification of former two time All-Ireland winner Maurice Fitzgerald to replace Diarmuid Murphy as a selector with the Kerry team has been hailed as a massive boost for Kerry football by outgoing Kerry County Committee Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan. Speaking after Monday night’s meeting, O’Sullivan spoke of the qualities he expects Fitzgerald to bring to the role.

“He is a man with huge experience both what he has done on the pitch and what he has done off the pitch with St Mary’s. As a player he was unequalled and commands huge respect countrywide. He will be able to give advice to players, he will know all there is to know on preparation and young players will look up to Maurice because he will not ask them to do anything that he was not able to do himself. He is coming back in a new role and Maurice is a born winner and if he brings that leadership into the dressing room, Kerry will prosper in the years ahead,” the outgoing chairman said.

Speaking of the appointment of his former Kerry team mate, manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice said: “I am delighted to welcome Maurice into the Kerry senior football set-up. His football knowledge, work ethic and personality will be a huge asset to us.”

Fitzgerald will take charge of his final game with St Marys on Saturday when they look to win a third consecutive South Kerry Championship in the final against Skellig Rangers.

Tributes were also paid to Mr. O’Sullivan by the meeting in stepping down from his role as Chairman. An 18 year period on the County Committee now comes to an end for the Dr Crokes clubman having served as Development Officer, Vice-Chairman and Chairman in that time. His fundraising abilities and work on spearheading the development of the Centre of Excellence at Currans were praised as part of a number of tributes.