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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Former Kerry star Fionn Fitzgerald content with life after inter-county football

A Central Park apartment for the summer, playing Gaelic Football in the Big Apple.

What's not to like? Fionn Fitzgerald has moved on from his time with the Kingdom, a six-year stretch that yielded one All-Ireland triumph.

He lifted the Sam Maguire with co-captain Kieran O'Leary in 2014 but his time ended after the disappointment of last year's Super 8s exit, Eamonn Fitzmaurice's departure followed by Peter Keane's arrival, and his own wedding and honeymoon.

"You know what, I've been very content with the other side of life," Fitzgerald said.

"You get so wrapped up in a bubble that it (playing for Kerry) becomes everything - and it is everything, and was to me, and still means a huge amount. 

"But I'd be one of those people that when something goes you move onto the next challenge.

"When would I have had the opportunity to live next to Central Park for six weeks in the middle of the summer? It was different." 

But then he thinks about what's coming on Sunday and he does feel some envy.

"There's parts of it I'll miss," said the 29-year-old. "The Kerry-Dublin game, of course I'll miss it.

"When you're a young fella that's what you're aiming for, in Kerry that's what you aspire to be. 

"So it is different. But I'm happy to be a supporter watching on. I've chatted to a few of the lads, I don't know a huge amount of what's going on - ultimately, I've taken myself out of that bubble.

"When I was a player I didn't really like people asking me what's going on so I haven't gone into that side of things. 

"But I've watched the games, I've enjoyed them. The Mayo game in particular, that was a game I would've liked to have played in. That one at home, a full crowd. Some of the other games (not so much)." 

Perhaps the fact that he has a Celtic Cross already banked means he's not missing it as much?

"Maybe," he reflected. "I've done it but, not being smart, winning one All-Ireland in Kerry (isn't a big deal). 

"But it was brilliant. Looking back, sometimes you don't really appreciate the situation until you're taken out of it. 

"I had good and bad days there in Croke Park, but that's sport. Basically no-one gets to do things on their own terms. 

"For most people, it's taken from you in some way".

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