*Mark Fitzgerald. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
MARK FITZGERALD has stepped down as manager of the Clare senior footballers.
Fitzgerald is understood to be in line for a new role with the Kerry U20 footballers and exits as Clare manager following just one season in charge.
He was appointed as Colm Collins’ successor last September on a two year term but has opted not to seek a second year and will instead be involved with his native county.
There had been some concern that the Tralee man may not be involved next season, some of which seem to have been abated by his presence at third round games in the Clare SFC including the meetings of St Joseph’s Mitown and Ennistymon plus Éire Óg’s comprehensive win against Lissycasey. Coach Seanie Buckley had been at games earlier in the campaign as had selector Declan Downes.
During his year in charge, Clare missed out on promotion back to Division 2 in the Allianz National Football League on the final round while they reached a successive Munster final against Kerry following a semi-final win over Waterford but suffered disappointing losses in the All-Ireland series to Cork, Donegal and Tyrone.
He said, “It is with regret that I won’t be continuing into my second season with (the) Clare senior footballers. I’d like to thank Clare County Board for their unwavering support over the year. I’d also like to thank the management and backroom team of Clare senior football for their tireless work throughout the season. Finally, I’d like to thank the players who have shown huge commitment and dedication since taking up the role. I wil be taking up a position with the Kerry U20 footballers and the opportunity to work with my own county was something I couldn’t turn down. I enjoyed my time with Clare immensely and I wish them the very best of luck going forward”.
Selector James Costello exited the Clare set-up last week when he was ratified as a member of Jack O’Connor’s Kerry management for next season. He previously spent four seasons as Kerry manager with Fitzgerald part of his ticket.
Fitzgerald’s departure puts the Clare County Board under pressure to find a replacement who no doubt will be keen to keep both Downes and Buckley as part of the next ticket.
Head of Operations with Clare GAA, Deirdre Murphy labelled the resignation as “a blow for us all”. She stated, “We are incredibly disappointed to lose Mark who has done a fantastic job as senior football manager. As a person and a football manager, you could not meet better and it is a blow for us all. However, we respect Mark’s decision and wish him well with the Kerry 20s where no doubt Kerry will be all the better for his involvement”.
