Éamonn Fitzmaurice attracted to role by Galway’s potential
Newly-appointed Galway senior Gaelic football manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice is no stranger to watching the Tribesmen in action, having followed their progress closely in recent seasons.
Since stepping away from his role as Kerry manager in 2018, Fitzmaurice has remained heavily involved in Gaelic football through his media work, including as a co-commentator with RTÉ and as a columnist with The Irish Examiner.
The Kerry native has watched the current Galway team in some of their biggest games in recent years.
Under Padraic Joyce, Galway became regular All-Ireland contenders, winning four consecutive Connacht titles between 2022 and 2025 while falling agonisingly short in two All-Ireland finals, against Kerry in 2022 and Armagh in 2024.
The last two seasons have ended at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage, with Fitzmaurice now tasked with helping the Tribesmen return to the latter stages of the championship.
The Kerry native admitted there were three major factors he had to consider before taking on the Galway role.
"My family, the logistical side of things and my day job as principal in Dingle, and I felt I could organise that side of things," Fitzmaurice said as he was unveiled as the new Galway manager at the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa on Saturday morning last.
"The Kerry side of things was a big consideration for me. Even up to a few weeks ago, I never thought I’d be managing against Kerry, but I will have to get through that part.
"The final part was the football side and that was very exciting. There is a good bit of potential and for me that pulled me the hardest towards it."
Mayo's recent breakthrough will provide further motivation for Galway, according to Fitzmaurice.
"They lost two All-Ireland finals narrowly, a lot of lads are in their prime, and there is an emerging group coming too," Fitzmaurice said.
"Outside of the squad are more players there too. Galway has a huge tradition and to get to work with that group is exciting."
"Pádraic [Joyce] has put Galway in that conversation for the All-Ireland so it is no shock for me to be saying that they are in contention, and sure what’s going on over county bounds [Mayo] will be a huge motivation for every Galway person and every other team.
"As the Louth lads say, 'why not us?’ A lot of teams will be thinking that way,” he said.