The legend is back where he belongs

Maurice Fitzgerald: one of the true greats
Maurice Fitzgerald: one of the true greats

GAA legend Maurice Fitzgerald is back where his thousands of fans want him to be – in the cockpit of Kerry football.

The Caherciveen man, one of the most naturally skilful players the game has ever produced, replaces Diarmuid Murphy as a senior selector and he will work closely with boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice and the other members of the sideline team.

Along with Peter Keane and, possibly, Jack O’Connor or the astute Pat O’Shea, 47-year-old Fitzgerald is one of names most frequently mentioned to take over the top job when Fitzmaurice’s reign ends and he certainly has the know-how and the passion to make a success of the senior side.

He successfully managed his club St Mary’s to a Kerry Intermediate Championship title last year and followed that up with the All-Ireland club title last February. He is also coaching Coláiste na Sceilge’s senior team this season and he only hung up his own boots last year, at the age of 46.

Fitzgerald, a secondary school teacher, will join two other former stars, Mikey Sheehy and Liam Hassett on the sidleline along with Fossa National School teacher Padraig Corcoran who is the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Team manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, remarked: “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, a two-time All-Ireland senior medal winner, played Minor for Kerry in 1986 and 1987 and followed that as an under 21 between 1988 and 1990 picking up an All-Ireland medal in his final year in the grade. He made his senior debut against Waterford in 1988 and his tremendous display against Cork in that year’s Munster final, when scoring 10 points, earned him an All-Star in his first year at senior level.

Fitzgerald won his second All-Star in 1996 and followed that with the Footballer of the Year award in 1997 when his nine points in the final against Mayo secured Kerry’s first All-Ireland title since 1986 and a third All Star for the St Marys. man.

He collected his second All-Ireland medal against Galway in the replayed final of 2000 and he retired from the inter-county scene in 2001 following Kerry’s defeat to Meath in the semi-final.

Fitzgerald, widely regarded as one of the real gentlemen in the game, also won three county championship medals with South Kerry between 2004 and 2006.

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