Ger FitzGerald (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Ger FitzGerald is an Irish
hurling
manager
and player. He is the current manager of the Cork under-21 hurling team.
FitzGerald enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Midleton
and at inter-county level with Cork. He was a corner-forward on both teams throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and was an All-Ireland medal-winner with both club
and county
. FitzGerald's other honours include two Munster
titles with Cork.
In retirement from playing FitzGerald has become involved in team management. He was a selector on the Cork senior hurling team during Gerald McCarthy's unsuccessful tenure as manager between 2006 and 2009. FitzGerald was appointed manager of the Cork under-21 hurling team in August 2009.
, County Cork
, FitzGerald was born into a family with a strong hurling tradition. His father, Paddy FitzGerald
, played all grades of hurling for Cork between 1956 and 1968, and won an All-Ireland
medal in 1966. FitzGerald was born the same weekend that his father travelled to Croke Park
to play with Cork against Wexford
in the National League
semi-final in 1964. Legendary broadcaster Michael O'Hehir
made reference to this in his commentary, speculating that the new-born son may one day follow in his father's footsteps and play for Cork.
and enjoyed much success in a distinguished career. He actually began his playing career as a goalkeeper and enjoyed much success in the minor and under-21 grades, while also picking up some divisional titles at junior level.
In 1983 FitzGerald was still relatively unknown and was understudy to goalkeeper Ger Power
when Midtleton began their championship
campaign. In the county semi-final against Youghal
he was introduced as full-forward and remained there for the subsequent championship decider against St. Finbarr's
. Midleton proved too strong for the mighty 'Barr's' on that occasion and secured their first championship title since 1916 following a 1-18 to 2-9 victory. FitzGerald's side later had the honour of representing Cork in the provincial club championship. A 1-14 to 1-11 defeat of Tipperary’s Borrisoleigh in the replay of the provincial decider gave FitzGerald a coveted Munster
club winners’ medal. Midleton were later defeated by Gort
in the All-Ireland club semi-final.
Three years later in 1986 FitzGerald captured a second county title before adding a third county winners’ medal to his collection in 1987. Later that year Midleton won a second Munster club title following a one-point win over Cappawhite
of Tipperary. On St. Patrick's Day, 1988 Midleton lined out in the All-Ireland club final. Athenry
of Galway provided the opposition, however, two early goals by Kevin Hennessy
and a kicked goal by Colm O'Neill
gave Midleton a merited 3-8 to 0-9 victory. This victory also gave FitzGerald a coveted All-Ireland
club winners’ medal.
FitzGerald won a fourth and final county title with the club in 1991 as the mighty Glen Rovers
club were defeated. This was Midleton's last major victory in the championship.
. FitzGerald later played at under-21 level with Cork, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade.
FitzGerald subsequently joined the county's senior hurling team and helped Cork to an Oireachtas win over Galway
. He made his championship debut in the Munster semi-final against Waterford
and he later won a Munster
title as a non-playing substitute. FitzGerald was later named on the team to play Galway in the All-Ireland final. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against an ageing Cork team, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton
, two from Tomás Mulcahy
and one from Kevin Hennessy
, stymied the Galway attack and helped 'the Rebels' to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory. It was FitzGErald's first All-Ireland
winners' medal.
The next few seasons proved difficult as Cork made the transition from the great team of the seventies and eighties to developing a new team for the nineties. Cork lost back-to-back Munster finals to Tipperary in 1987 and 1988.
The Cork team returned in 1990 with FitzgErald winning his first Munster title on the field of play following an odds-defying 4-16 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary. Cork subsequently qualified for an All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. Once again, Galway were the favourites and were out to capture a third All-Ireland title in four seasons. Shortly after half-time the westerners were up by seven points and were cruising to victory. Tomás Mulcahy
, however, played a captain’s role and scored a crucial goal that revitalised the Cork attack. The final score of 5-15 to 2-21 gave Cork the victory in one of the most open hurling finals in years and gave FitzGerald a second All-Ireland winners' medal.
Tipp wrested the Munster title from Cork again in 1991, however, FitzgErald won his third Munster winners' medal overall in 1992 as Limerick
fell to ‘the Rebels. After a defeat of Down
, Cork advanced to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny
provided the opposition. It was the two sides’ first meeting in the championship in nine years. All-Ireland victories over Galway had given FitzGerald two All-Ireland medals, however, a defeat of Cork’s biggest rivals would put the icing on the cake. Kilkenny played into a strong wind in the first-half and were two points in arrears at half-time. ‘The Cats’ fought back and defeated their arch rivals by 3-10 to 1-12 to take the title.
FitzGerald’s involvement with the senior inter-county side came to an end following this game.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
and player. He is the current manager of the Cork under-21 hurling team.
FitzGerald enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Midleton
Midleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
and at inter-county level with Cork. He was a corner-forward on both teams throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and was an All-Ireland medal-winner with both club
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
and county
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
. FitzGerald's other honours include two Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
titles with Cork.
In retirement from playing FitzGerald has become involved in team management. He was a selector on the Cork senior hurling team during Gerald McCarthy's unsuccessful tenure as manager between 2006 and 2009. FitzGerald was appointed manager of the Cork under-21 hurling team in August 2009.
Biography
Born in MidletonMidleton
Midleton, historically Middleton , is a town in south-eastern County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 22 km east of Cork City on the Owenacurra River and the N25 road, which connects Cork to the port of Rosslare...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, FitzGerald was born into a family with a strong hurling tradition. His father, Paddy FitzGerald
Paddy FitzGerald
Paddy FitzGerald is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1958 until 1967. His son, Ger FitzGerald, won All-Ireland medals with Cork in 1986 and 1990.-Club:FitzGerald played his club hurling with...
, played all grades of hurling for Cork between 1956 and 1968, and won an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal in 1966. FitzGerald was born the same weekend that his father travelled to Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
to play with Cork against Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
in the National League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
semi-final in 1964. Legendary broadcaster Michael O'Hehir
Michael O'Hehir
Michael James Hehir was an Irish hurling, football and horse racing commentator and journalist. Between 1938 and 1985 his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many...
made reference to this in his commentary, speculating that the new-born son may one day follow in his father's footsteps and play for Cork.
Club
FitzGerald played his club hurling with his local club in MidletonMidleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
and enjoyed much success in a distinguished career. He actually began his playing career as a goalkeeper and enjoyed much success in the minor and under-21 grades, while also picking up some divisional titles at junior level.
In 1983 FitzGerald was still relatively unknown and was understudy to goalkeeper Ger Power
Ger Power (hurler)
Ger Power is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was the substitute goalkeeper to Ger Cunningham on the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1980s.-References:...
when Midtleton began their championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
campaign. In the county semi-final against Youghal
Youghal GAA
Youghal GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Youghal, in County Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Hurling and Gaelic football teams. The club is a member of Cork GAA and Imokilly divisional board.-History:...
he was introduced as full-forward and remained there for the subsequent championship decider against St. Finbarr's
St. Finbarr's GAA
St. Finbarr's National Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Togher area of Cork city, County Cork, Ireland....
. Midleton proved too strong for the mighty 'Barr's' on that occasion and secured their first championship title since 1916 following a 1-18 to 2-9 victory. FitzGerald's side later had the honour of representing Cork in the provincial club championship. A 1-14 to 1-11 defeat of Tipperary’s Borrisoleigh in the replay of the provincial decider gave FitzGerald a coveted Munster
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
club winners’ medal. Midleton were later defeated by Gort
Gort GAA
Gort GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Gort, County Galway, Republic of Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling...
in the All-Ireland club semi-final.
Three years later in 1986 FitzGerald captured a second county title before adding a third county winners’ medal to his collection in 1987. Later that year Midleton won a second Munster club title following a one-point win over Cappawhite
Cappawhite GAA
Cappawhite GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in the village of Cappawhite, South Tipperary, bordering on County Limerick in Ireland.-Honours:* Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Winners 1987* Tipperary U-21 'A' hurling Champions 1999...
of Tipperary. On St. Patrick's Day, 1988 Midleton lined out in the All-Ireland club final. Athenry
Athenry GAA
St. Mary's, Athenry is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Athenry in County Galway. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-History:...
of Galway provided the opposition, however, two early goals by Kevin Hennessy
Kevin Hennessy
Kevin Hennessy is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1982 until 1993.-Club:...
and a kicked goal by Colm O'Neill
Colm O'Neill (born 1964)
Colm O'Neill is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football and hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county football team from 1984 until 1991....
gave Midleton a merited 3-8 to 0-9 victory. This victory also gave FitzGerald a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club winners’ medal.
FitzGerald won a fourth and final county title with the club in 1991 as the mighty Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
club were defeated. This was Midleton's last major victory in the championship.
Inter-county
FitzGerald’s achievements at club level brought his to the attention of the Cork inter-county selectors. In 1982 he was on the fringe of a place on the Cork minor hurling team but was overlooked when the team was announced to play TipperaryTipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
. FitzGerald later played at under-21 level with Cork, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade.
FitzGerald subsequently joined the county's senior hurling team and helped Cork to an Oireachtas win over Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
. He made his championship debut in the Munster semi-final against Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
and he later won a Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title as a non-playing substitute. FitzGerald was later named on the team to play Galway in the All-Ireland final. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against an ageing Cork team, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton
John Fenton
John Fenton is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987. Fenton is regarded as one of Cork's greatest-ever players.-Club:Fenton played his club hurling with his local Midleton club and...
, two from Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game...
and one from Kevin Hennessy
Kevin Hennessy
Kevin Hennessy is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1982 until 1993.-Club:...
, stymied the Galway attack and helped 'the Rebels' to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory. It was FitzGErald's first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
winners' medal.
The next few seasons proved difficult as Cork made the transition from the great team of the seventies and eighties to developing a new team for the nineties. Cork lost back-to-back Munster finals to Tipperary in 1987 and 1988.
The Cork team returned in 1990 with FitzgErald winning his first Munster title on the field of play following an odds-defying 4-16 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary. Cork subsequently qualified for an All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. Once again, Galway were the favourites and were out to capture a third All-Ireland title in four seasons. Shortly after half-time the westerners were up by seven points and were cruising to victory. Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game...
, however, played a captain’s role and scored a crucial goal that revitalised the Cork attack. The final score of 5-15 to 2-21 gave Cork the victory in one of the most open hurling finals in years and gave FitzGerald a second All-Ireland winners' medal.
Tipp wrested the Munster title from Cork again in 1991, however, FitzgErald won his third Munster winners' medal overall in 1992 as Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
fell to ‘the Rebels. After a defeat of Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
, Cork advanced to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
provided the opposition. It was the two sides’ first meeting in the championship in nine years. All-Ireland victories over Galway had given FitzGerald two All-Ireland medals, however, a defeat of Cork’s biggest rivals would put the icing on the cake. Kilkenny played into a strong wind in the first-half and were two points in arrears at half-time. ‘The Cats’ fought back and defeated their arch rivals by 3-10 to 1-12 to take the title.
FitzGerald’s involvement with the senior inter-county side came to an end following this game.