Fitzmaurice takes over the reins of Kerry U-21 footballers

EAMON FITZMAURICE, a selector with Jack O’Connor’s All-Ireland winning Kerry team in 2009, was last night ratified by county delegates as the new U-21 football boss.

The Finuge clubman, holder of three All-Ireland medals, was highly regarded in the Kerry set-up and specialised in video analysis in his two year stint.

Fitzmaurice stepped away from his senior responsibilities last August after Kerry’s loss to Down in the All-Ireland quarter-final and explained his decision: “It’s been pretty full-on for two years and I thought it was a good idea to take a year out now. Also, from the players’ point of view, it is no harm to keep things fresh by shaking up the management team.”

Fitzmaurice, who has yet to name his selectors, now takes up what many consider a poisoned chalice, replacing John Kennedy as Kerry remain haunted by the 22 points Munster final mauling at the hands of Cork.

Fitzmaurice, who teaches in PS Chorca Dhuibhne and led their U16 side to Kerry and Munster Colleges titles this year, has been given a two-year term and will begin his scouting mission when the county championship starts in June.

Round one of the championship will be staged on the weekend of June 11/12 and round two on weekend of June 17/18, meaning the semi-finals of the Club Championships will be put to one side for now.

Kerry’s Night of Champions fundraiser will be staged at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday, June 17.

Meanwhile All Star nominee David Kelly has been ruled out of Sligo’s Connacht championship opener against Leitrim on Sunday week. The 23-year old attacker is recovering from surgery after a troublesome ankle injury and manager Kevin Walsh says he won’t be back for the championship opener.

Experienced wing-back Johnny Davey, who suffered a cruciate knee injury in the All-Ireland qualifier loss to Down last year, is unlikely to be fit either for the visit of Leitrim.

Eugene Mullen and Noel Maguire are also extremely doubtful for a game. where Walsh is taking nothing for granted.

“Leitrim is going to be a real tough game for us. Looking at their league form they pushed Roscommon and Longford very close so they will be a right challenge for us in Markievicz Park.”

“They always have great heart and great desire and they are going to push us all the way. We are well aware of that and it is going to be a tough game,” said Walsh.