ÉAMONN FITZMAURICE REMAINS the right man for the job despite Kerry’s All-Ireland final defeat, according to his predecessor.
Kerry relinquished their All-Ireland crown to Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday but Fitzmaurice confirmed that he and his management team will remain in charge for another year.
And Jack O’Connor – the man he took over from – believes Fitzmaurice has done a ‘remarkable’ job with the Kingdom and the 0-12 to 0-9 loss to Dublin shouldn’t blot his copybook.
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“I’d say there’s no fear of that,” O’Connor said when asked whether Fitzmaurice would be leaving his post. “Éamonn is the right man for the job. When he took over a couple of years ago you would never have envisaged they’d be in two finals and they’d win one.
“It was seen as if Kerry were in transition. He’s done a remarkable job with that team and he’s there for as long as he wants it really.”
Since taking the reins from O’Connor in August 2012, Fitzmaurice has delivered three consecutive Munster titles as well as guiding the Kingdom to All-Ireland glory twelve months ago.
Fitzmaurice said he will consider his future. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
There was some joy for the travelling Kerry supporters in the capital on Sunday with O’Connor’s minors running riot against Tipperary to claim their 13th All-Ireland title.
But O’Connor maintains that he’s happy where he is and wouldn’t be interested in returning to the senior job should it become available in the future.
“No, no,” he said. “I’ve done my stint there and I think the underage is where I’m happiest at the moment.
“I’m going with the U-21′s next year to try and develop these two groups of minors because mentally it can be hard to start from scratch again every year with a new minor team, so we’re just trying to progress these fellas now and trying to make seniors out of them.
'Eamonn is the right man for the job' - O'Connor gives Fitzmaurice vote of confidence
ÉAMONN FITZMAURICE REMAINS the right man for the job despite Kerry’s All-Ireland final defeat, according to his predecessor.
Kerry relinquished their All-Ireland crown to Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday but Fitzmaurice confirmed that he and his management team will remain in charge for another year.
And Jack O’Connor – the man he took over from – believes Fitzmaurice has done a ‘remarkable’ job with the Kingdom and the 0-12 to 0-9 loss to Dublin shouldn’t blot his copybook.
“I’d say there’s no fear of that,” O’Connor said when asked whether Fitzmaurice would be leaving his post. “Éamonn is the right man for the job. When he took over a couple of years ago you would never have envisaged they’d be in two finals and they’d win one.
Since taking the reins from O’Connor in August 2012, Fitzmaurice has delivered three consecutive Munster titles as well as guiding the Kingdom to All-Ireland glory twelve months ago.
There was some joy for the travelling Kerry supporters in the capital on Sunday with O’Connor’s minors running riot against Tipperary to claim their 13th All-Ireland title.
But O’Connor maintains that he’s happy where he is and wouldn’t be interested in returning to the senior job should it become available in the future.
“No, no,” he said. “I’ve done my stint there and I think the underage is where I’m happiest at the moment.
“I’m going with the U-21′s next year to try and develop these two groups of minors because mentally it can be hard to start from scratch again every year with a new minor team, so we’re just trying to progress these fellas now and trying to make seniors out of them.
“That’s the aim.”
Even Mr Tayto had to queue for Coppers to celebrate the Dubs’ All-Ireland win
Dublin’s All-Ireland winners visit Crumlin Children’s Hospital with Sam Maguire
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Eamonn Fitzmaurice Jack O'Connor Not interested Kerry Vote of Confidence