How Kerry turned Fitzgerald Stadium into ‘a fortress’

John Lenihan has spent 42 years manning the fortress that is Fitzgerald Stadium. And a fortress it most certainly is, yesterday’s Munster final win extending Kerry’s unbeaten run against Cork in Killarney to an 18th season at their spiritual home.

“Kerry losing here is a rare thing,” he says. “It is a fortress.”

First a steward, now the ground’s event controller, Lenihan has witnessed more football games than he can remember while endless battles have played out on his turf, there is one pairing that he relishes the prospect of.