Fitzmaurice Returns
Eamonn Fitzmaurice is set to fill the void left by Donie Buckley’s departure from the Kerry Senior backroom team.
The former selector will return to the fold after Kerry’s Championship opener in Tipperary on May 27. Fitzmaurice was in charge of the Kerry U21s this season and in the past he performed a key role as a selector in Kerry’s All Ireland triumph in 2009.
The Dingle based teacher is already regarded highly by the players and his presence alongside Jack O’Connor, Ger O’Keeffe, Diarmuid Murphy and Alan O’Sullivan is sure to be a boost to Kerry’s All Ireland prospects in 2012.
Speaking at a recent Lucozade Sport promotion Colm Cooper admitted he was surprised by the recent departure of highly-rated coach Donie Buckley from the Kerry setup.
"It caught us by surprise as the players didn’t know much about it until the management told us. But to be fair, that kind of thing is an issue for the management.
“I knew that Donie had problems with his knee which saw him miss a lot of our training earlier in the year. He came back then but it just didn’t work out. I found him a very good guy to deal with, very enthusiastic about his football training and a brilliant coach. I’ve been speaking to him over the last week and he will be sadly missed."
Kerry can stay in the Ring
Contrary to prior speculation Kerry’s participation in the 2013 Christy Ring Cup is not in danger after Saturday’s dramatic loss to Kildare in Newbridge.
A spokesman for the GAA confirmed to Kerry’s Eye earlier this week that Kerry have the option of playing in the Christy Ring Cup again next year.
“Kerry and Mayo both have the option of remaining in the Christy Ring Cup in 2013. They can also choose to be regarded to the Nicky Rackard Cup next year. Decisions like this are normally made around September or October by the relevant counties and it is totally at their own discretion.
“The 2012 Nicky Rackard Cup winners are also given the opportunity of competing in the Christy Ring Cup next year so we could very well have 9 teams in the competition in 2013.”
Amid the confusion following John Meyler’s resignation as Kerry Senior Hurling manager directly after the game in Newbridge, there was also concern that Kerry would have to play in a Christy Ring relegation play-off.
But this is now not the case and Kerry’s inter county season has finished on May 12th.
The Kerry hurlers will not resume their inter county activities again under new management until the Allianz Leagues commence sometime in late February in 2013. John Meyler also confirmed that he would step down as manager of the Kerry u21’s who are bidding to win a 4 in a row of All Ireland u21 B titles later this year.
Four U21 stars join senior panel
Jack O’Connor has added four of the Kerry u21 panel to the senior set up. James Walsh, Jack Sherwood, Stephen O’Brien and Mark Griffin have all made the step up after Kerry’s loss to Cork in the Munster u21 Final.
It has also been confirmed that Daithí Casey has left the Kerry panel and that 3 time All Ireland senior medallist Padraig Reidy is not part of the management’s plans for the summer.
Donnchadh Walsh remains the only major doubt ahead of Kerry’s Munster Senior Football Championship opener with Tipperary in Thurles on Sunday week.
The Cromane man is still receiving treatment on a troublesome groin injury. He is also based in Dublin at present and like a number of his colleagues on the Kerry panel is in the middle of college exam season.
The pressure of exams at this stage of the year has slightly hampered Kerry’s championship preparations.
Seamus Scanlon, Colm Cooper and Daniel Bohan are all showing no effects from prior injuries as the countdown to Kerry’s championship opener begins in earnest. RTE have also confirmed that the Kerry v Tipperary game will be televised live at 2 pm followed by the second part of the Thurles double header, Tipperary v Limerick, in the Munster SHC at 4 pm.
Kerry’s Junior Championship match against Tipperary will be played the previous evening in Nenagh on Saturday May 26th at 5.30 pm.
Killarney Celtic say ‘No’ to League of Ireland Soccer
At a well attended, specially convened, EGM held at Celtic Park last week the members of Killarney Celtic voted by a two thirds majority not to enter a team in the Dr. Tony O’Neill League of Ireland under 19 competition for the coming season. The meeting, chaired by chairman Karl McMahon, lasted over two hours listening to arguments from both sides.
McMahon was in no doubt the decision was the correct one for the time being.
“Personally I felt the timing was wrong.
“We are one of the most progressive clubs in Kerry but I think we need to get our structure right for something like this. It would take a huge commitment from the club going forward to League of Ireland soccer.
“The level of fitness and the disruption of a players personal social life, amongst other things, all have to be taken into consideration when making a momentous decision such as this.
“The travelling and the expense involved would be very demanding and it would take great dedication from the management staff and players to give up the enormous time and effort required to maintain focussed for the entire season”
But the decision is clearly not set in stone.
“No, I think this will be proposed again next season”, said Mr McMahon.