Ger FitzGerald (hurler)

Ger FitzGerald (born 25 April 1964 in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland) 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.^[1]

Biography

Born in Midleton, 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.^[2]

Playing career

Club

FitzGerald played his club hurling with his local club in Midleton 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.^[3] 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.

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 Tipperary. 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.

Retirement

In 2007 FitzGerald returned to the Cork senior hurling scene as a member of Gerald McCarthy’s management team.^[4]

References