Leading contender emerges in race to become next Galway football manager
EAMONN FITZMAURICE has emerged as a strong contender to become the next Galway senior football manager.
The Irish Examiner has reported this evening that Eamonn Fitzmaurice is set to return to inter-county management, with the Kerry native poised to take charge of the Galway senior footballers for the 2027 season.
Fitzmaurice last managed at inter-county level with Kerry, where he spent six seasons in charge and guided the Kingdom to All-Ireland success in 2014. It is understood that he is in advanced discussions with Galway GAA and has met with county chairman Paul Bellew on a number of occasions.
The former Kerry manager is now considered the leading candidate to take charge of the Tribesmen, with his potential appointment likely to generate considerable interest among Galway supporters.
Since stepping away from Kerry in 2018, Fitzmaurice has remained involved in club football in the Kingdom, working with Fossa in recent years. Last month, he was involved in coaching with his club Finuge where they won the Kerry Junior Football Championship. He has also worked with teams at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, where he is principal.
Last week, Galway GAA stated that it aimed to have the managerial appointment process completed by the weekend of October 10, when the county senior and intermediate football championship semi-finals are scheduled to take place.
Padraic Joyce stepped down as Galway senior football manager earlier this month after seven years in charge. During his tenure, Joyce guided Galway to four consecutive Connacht titles and led the Tribesmen to All-Ireland finals in 2022 and 2024, where they suffered narrow defeats.