The widespread speculation surrounding Maurice Fitzgerald's future with the Kerry football team ended yesterday with confirmation that he has no intention of retiring. Fitzgerald spoke with manager Paidi O Se yesterday and he is now likely to play a part in Sunday's re-fixed National Football League tie with Dublin in Killarney.
A number of sources close to the Kerry team revealed on Monday that there were doubts over Fitzgerald's playing future after he failed to show up for the league game with Roscommon last Sunday. But that turned out to be more to do with a brief breakdown in communications rather than any indication of a possible retirement.
"The two of them spoke yesterday morning and the issue has been cleared up," said county PRO Willie O'Connor. "Part of the problem was that Maurice was in the States up until last Wednesday and hadn't spoken to Paidi before that.
"The selectors left him out of the starting line-up, probably to give him a rest, and I think Maurice may have misinterpreted that. Naturally he was upset about it and decided not to travel with the team to Roscommon."
O Se acknowledged his regret at not talking to Fitzgerald before the team was selected but both himself and the Cahirciveen forward are now eager to put the matter behind them. There is little doubt, therefore, that Fitzgerald, who turns 31 this year, remains an important part of the Kerry manager's ambitions to retain the All-Ireland title.
The team for Sunday's meeting with Dublin is due to be named later today but there continues to be a number of injury problems within the squad. Liam Hassett is the latest concern. He came off injured at half-time in the loss to Roscommon, and this adds to the previous injuries to Dara O Cinneide (back) and John Crowley (leg).
The size of Kerry's battle against relegation is now clear. Having lost their four games so far, the points against Dublin are an absolute requirement. Meanwhile, Limerick manager Eamonn Cregan has given a vote of confidence to the team which beat Offaly in Birr for Sunday's visit to Clare in the fourth round of the National Hurling League. That means that Damien Reale, who cried off for the game in Birr two weeks ago, fails to regain his place at corner back. Clement Smith, just recently back from Australia, holds onto his position.
The selectors have also given a recall to Owen O'Neill, who has not won the county senior jersey for three seasons and is now back in the substitutes, where he is joined by Stephen McDonogh, just back from suspension.
Newcomer Dave McInerney, who had a spell with Dublin, and reserve keeper, John Fitzgerald are also named on the bench. Limerick currently lead Division IA. Wexford's bid to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle in Division 1B will be hindered by the absence of captain and centre back Daragh Ryan for Sunday's relegation showdown with Derry at Gorey.
Ryan received a straight red card in last Sunday's loss to Waterford and will be missing for at least one month. Manager Tony Dempsey has also admitted that he is also likely to be without full back Declan Ruth who aggravated a hamstring problem against Waterford.
This will leave Dempsey without his central defensive duo but there was some good news in that Rod Guiney will be available, having completed a one-month suspension.
"We're not as strong as we would like to be," said Dempsey. "But with just two points from our three games played this is one we just have got to win. Even with a victory our chances of making the knock-out stages are very remote following the successive defeats to Tipperary and Waterford."
Tipperary remain without the services of the injured John Leahy and Paddy O'Brien for the crunch meeting with Kilkenny in the Division 1B tie at Nowlan Park. Unbeaten in their previous two games, Tipperary can edge closer towards one of the semi-final berths if they manage to beat the All-Ireland champions.
