'He would have been mad to leave it as it is'

Eamonn Fitzmaurice has explained the reasons why Jack O’Connor couldn’t walk away from Kerry.

O’Connor was ratified for another two years as Kerry senior football manager at last night’s county board meeting, despite hinting at stepping down after delivering his fifth All-Ireland SFC title to the Kingdom last month.

"I think when he would have reflected, it was a fantastic season for Kerry," former Kerry All-Ireland winning centre back and manager Fitzmaurice told RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland.

"It's an exciting time to be involved in that group. They're at a great age now, a lot of them. There's been a lot of maturity, physically, mentally, everything-wise, over the last while.

"And I think in a way, Jack would have probably felt he would have been mad to leave it as it is.

"He's (got) a very strong backroom team. There's a great spirit within the group. All of the ingredients you'll be looking for, for continued success.

"The only question I suppose for Jack was that he's never gone beyond the four years in his previous terms.

"I think the critical difference this time is possibly that he's retired from his teaching role. He has the time to really give everything to Kerry and he's enjoying it. So why not stay going?"