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Éamonn Fitzmaurice has been appointed Galway senior football manager for three years, replacing Pádraic Joyce after seven years in charge.
Éamonn Fitzmaurice has been appointed as the new Galway senior football manager for a three-year term, replacing Pádraic Joyce, who stepped down after seven years in charge. The announcement was made at a media briefing in Loughrea on Saturday morning. Fitzmaurice, a former Kerry All-Ireland winning player and manager, will turn 50 next July.
Galway football manager role attracts Fitzmaurice
Fitzmaurice had previously stated he had no intention of returning to inter-county management, especially with another county, after leaving the Kerry job in 2018 following six years in charge. He had been content with media work and coaching roles at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle, where he is principal, and with a couple of clubs in Kerry.
However, a call from Galway GAA chairman Paul Bellew the weekend after Joyce stepped down changed his mind. Fitzmaurice said such calls had come before but never progressed beyond the initial conversation. This time, curiosity led him to explore the opportunity further.
He met Bellew a few times and spoke on several occasions, balancing personal and professional considerations. Eventually, he interviewed with the selection committee and was offered the role.
Kerry background and decision to manage against Kerry
Fitzmaurice admitted that managing against his native Kerry was a significant consideration. He said he had never imagined managing against Kerry and wrestled with the decision. He noted bonds with former students at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and players he had given their first Kerry start.
He pointed out that he is not the first Kerry man to manage another county and face the Kingdom, citing Mick O'Dwyer, Páidi Ó Sé, Mickey Ned O'Sullivan, Peter Keane, and current Kerry manager Jack O'Connor as examples. He expressed comfort that those managers were welcomed back into Kerry afterwards and hoped people in Kerry would accept his decision.
Galway football project and future plans
Fitzmaurice said the football project in Galway was a key factor in his decision. He had watched Galway closely in recent years while working in the media and saw significant potential in the squad. This excitement pulled him strongly towards the role.
He also considered his age, noting he will be 50 next July, and felt these top-level opportunities do not come around often. He believes he is young enough and has enough energy to take on the challenge, with his children now at a good age.
Fitzmaurice is currently putting his backroom team in place and met a selection of squad members for the first time this weekend. He is looking forward to getting started.
Éamonn Fitzmaurice Galway GAA Pádraic Joyce Kerry GAA Paul Bellew Senior Football Inter-County Management
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