New boss expects old warriors to play on
Four of the defence that lined out earlier this month will be 31 or more next year while in the forwards, Kieran Donaghy and Colm Cooper will join Paul Galvin as 30-somethings in 2013.
But the Finuge man, appointed on Monday evening, isn’t anticipating a glut of retirements.
“I think a lot of the lads will stay on,” he said. “I haven’t spoken to many of them yet because the Donegal defeat is still pretty raw.
“Looking at the lads and seeing them up close and personal this summer, physically there’s no doubt that every single one of them can still go on.
“In time, when they see someone else lifting Sam Maguire and when they’ve had a bit of a rest after playing their club championship games, you’ll see if those fellas are back for road again next January or February.”
While the age profile of the panel does not concern the new man, Fitzmaurice acknowledges the need to keep the talent conveyer belt running.
He said: “When we were travelling to the Clare game in the qualifiers this year, I came across an old programme and it was from the day we played Antrim in 2009 at the same stage of the back door. Of the 30 fellas that togged out that day, 18 of them have moved on since.
“There are a fair share of young lads coming through and there are some who won All-Ireland medal with the juniors last Saturday and I’d have some dealings with them with the U21s. They’ll be trying to force their way into the picture.”
Seamus Moynihan and Mikey Sheehy are among the names being mentioned as Fitzmaurice’s potential selectors but the 35-year-old is in no rush. He also insists there was too much made in reports about hisreluctance to take the top job in the county, having only been appointed U21 manager at the end of last year.
“I think that was a bit exaggerated,” he said.
“I did feel that I possibly had a bit of unfinished business with the U21s. It’s right that they were being left in good hands and when I thought about the position I didn’t have to do much thinking. You don’t get opportunities like this every day of the week. Once I got the support from people around me I was happy to go at it.”
Having won All-Irelands alongside almost a dozen of the current panel, he insists they are all aware of the demarcation line that now separates them.
He said: “Of course, it was a consideration but while I’m only 35 I’ve been gone out of the team from a playing perspective for five years.
“I came in at the other side of the fence with Jack in 2009 and 2010 and for a couple of months this summer and I just feel the lads know me at this stage and that I’ve moved across to management.”
Fitzmaurice inherits Kerry at a time when Donegal are being heralded as changing the face of Gaelic football. He is an admirer of Jim McGuinness but feels not enough credit is given to the individual talent of the players.
“I was at the game last Sunday and I really enjoyed it as a neutral.
“I just feel that people are so focused on Jimmy McGuinness and his system that they’re forgetting the kind of quality that Donegal have. They’ve an awful lot of very good footballers.
“They’ve definitely raised the bar in terms of fitness and physicality. It’s interesting but I don’t think it’s a bad thing for the game.
“The only worry you’d have is if Donegal win the All-Ireland you’d get a lot of club teams up and down the country trying to imitate their style without the same quality of player or fitness levels. With two teams pursuing those tactics against one another, you could have a very dull spectacle but you’d be hopeful there is still room for a traditional game there somewhere.”
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