Fitzgerald steps down as Under 20 Football boss

By Shane Brophy

Niall Fitzgerald has stepped down as Tipperary under 20 football manager after three years in charge.

The Moyle Rovers manager has stepped aside after three successful years in charge, with positive performances and results.

Fitzgerald assumed the role in 2023, and in the final year of the straight knockout format, lost to Clare by three points in the Munster quarter-final)

With the introduction of the round-robin format in 2024, Fitzgerald led his young team to two wins and one draw in Phase 1, before going on to deliver competitive showings against Cork and Kerry in Phase 2.

With an experienced team, they targeted this year for success and started well, winning all of their Phase 1 games against Limerick, Clare and Waterford and despite a disappointing loss against Kerry in the first game of Phase 2, his players were desperately unlucky to miss out on a Munster final place with a highly contentious late free gifting Cork a tap over free to draw the game and deny Tipp a first decider appearance since 2021.

It was hoped the former Tipperary senior player would remain on but in a statement confirming the news of his resignation,

Tipperary GAA confirmed the decision was: “entirely based on the fact that he has a young family who he wants to spend a little more time with at this point.”

Niall also confirmed that he does hope to return to inter-county management at some point in the future and wished the incoming under

20 management all the best, stating “they will have a very talented group of footballers at their disposal in 2026.”