Mark Fitzgerald: Limerick football job was too big to turn down

Ray Dempsey departed after five games and Fitzgerald was asked would he step up from coach to manager. Ultimately he felt it was too big an opportunity to turn down

FIRST GAME: Limerick manager Mark Fitzgerald during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match against Kildare in March. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Whirlwinds shake fair buds, GAA sagas unroot all kinds. Twelve months ago, Billy Lee was one of the longest serving intercounty managers and Mark Fitzgerald was a selector with James Costello’s Kerry minors.

In the following offseason storm, Lee unexpectedly left Limerick and headed south, eventually taking over Austin Stacks. Fitzgerald, who hails from their near rivals Kerins O’Rahillys, was initially linked to the Kerry minor job and eventually joined new Limerick boss Ray Dempsey’s ticket.