“A proud Kerryman who continuously showed class when so many didn’t have any.”
Éamonn Fitzmaurice might’ve made a couple of mistakes along the way and maybe, historically, one All-Ireland in six years hasn’t been good enough for Kerry but there are several bottom lines that have been ignored in the quest to sit a new ruler on the Kingdom throne.
One of those is that Fitzmaurice took over an ageing side in 2012 and had to see off a decade’s worth of legends whilst still keeping up with the expectation that comes with being Kerry manager.
The other is that he took over in the same era Jim Gavin took over what would be one of the best sides to ever play Gaelic football and only Donegal and Fitzmaurice somehow managed to wedge some success in alongside the last seven years of Dublin dominance.
And, this season, no matter how much Kerry might’ve flattered to deceive, they’re not in the top four teams in the country. The semi-finalists this year are the best. They were the top four in Division One in the league and they’re the top four again after a round robin format to fairly decipher that.
But even if you put all that logic aside, Fitzmaurice is a Kerry man through and through and he has been serving his county for 24 years in succession now. He didn’t deserve the pitch forks and torches that came to his door in the end.
.@Woolberto reckons Éamonn Fitzmaurice's achievements need to be recognised as he steps away from the Kerry job.
The GAA Hour Football Show w/ @paddypower pic.twitter.com/mzC3MTc8Fo
— The GAA Hour (@TheGAAHour) August 6, 2018
As it is, he stood down and he did so gracefully with a thought that a new manager might get more time to blood a completely new team.
He goes with the well-wishes of real Gaels and the salute of one of Kerry’s most consistent, most successful players in the modern era.
Darran O’Sullivan bid farewell to a team mate, a manager and a man who was so much more than both of those things. In a powerful statement, the Glenbeigh-Glencar native hit out at the bullshit being thrown around and highlighted the work Fitzmaurice has done – as well as the dignity and class he held until the very end.
“Massive thanks to Eamonn for putting everything into managing Kerry for the last six years.
“A brilliant leader and an example of how to carry yourself.
“I had the pleasure to play with Eamonn and for him and his love and passion for Kerry is incredible.
“He was more than just a manager to a lot of our squad, he encouraged lads, backed us to be better and protected fellas from all the bullshit that was being thrown around without ever asking for anything in return.
“The bond that he formed with the backroom team and playing squad is a testament of what a man he is.
“Thanks Eamonn.”
Perfect.
Thanks Eamonn, a proud Kerryman who continuously showed class when so many didn’t have any. 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/0GXYn7LBCN
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) August 6, 2018
If only Pat Spillane had shown the same sort of depth of thought before rushing to lynch Fitzmaurice on national television.
"For those two minutes, a man who has been representing Kerry since he was a minor in 1994 was torn asunder"https://t.co/vqx2s7SzxK
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 6, 2018
