Fitzmaurice is new Kerry U-21 manager

Former county star Eamonn Fitzmaurice has been appointed as the new Kerry Under-21 football manager, taking over from John Kennedy who stepped down recently.

Fitzmaurice, who has been handed a two-year term, was part of Jack O'Connor's backroom team when Kerry won the All-Ireland SFC title in 2009.

He won three All-Ireland senior medals as a player and still lines out for his club Finuge, while his underage management experience includes guiding PS Chorca Dhuibhne's Under-16s to Munster and Kerry College titles this year.

His appointment as U-21 boss was unanimously ratified by delegates at last night's Kerry County Board meeting in Tralee.

Giving his reaction, Kerry County Board Chairman Jerome Conway said: "We are delighted to have someone of Eamonn's calibre taking up such an important position.

"We decided to appoint a replacement for John Kennedy early as the new man will have a chance to take in the county Championship and the closing stages of the club Championships, so as he will be able to run his eye over emerging talent."

The Kerry U-21s suffered a 22-point humbling at the hands of Cork in last month's Munster final, which was Kennedy's last match in charge.