Ger FitzGerald (hurler)

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = Ger FitzGerald
irish = Gearoid Mac Gearailt
fullname = Ger FitzGerald
placeofbirth = Midleton
countryofbirth = County Cork
dob =
height =
nickname =
county = Cork
province = Munster
club = Midleton
clposition = Forward
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Cork
icposition = Forward
icyears = 1986-1992
icapps(points) =
icprovince = 3 (1 as sub)
icallireland = 2
allstars =
clupdate =
icupdate =

Ger FitzGerald (born April, 1964) is former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.

Early life

Ger FitzGerald was born in Midleton, County Cork in 1964. His father, Paddy FitzGerald, played hurling for Cork and would win a coveted All-Ireland medal two years after the birth of his son. From a young age FitzGerald, like his father, showed great skill at the game of hurling also.

Playing career

Club

FitzGerald played his club hurling with his local Midleton club. He started out as a goalkeeper at underage level but was a firm fixture in the forward line by the time the club won the county title in 1983. This was later converted into a Munster club title. FitzGerald won back-to-back county medals in 1986 and 1987, before adding a second Munster club medal to his collection. At the beginning of 1988 he won a coveted All-Ireland club title following a defeat of Athenry. FitzGerad won a fourth and final county title in 1991.

Inter-county

FitzGerald’s achievements at club level brought his to the attention of the Cork inter-county selectors. He first played at under-21 level, however, he had little success. In 1985 FitzGerald joined the senior 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 later lined out in his first All-Ireland final against Galway. In spite of being rated at complete underdogs Cork were victorious on that occasion and FitzGerald captured his first All-Ireland medal. Cork lost their provincial crown for the first time in five years in 1987, however, the team returned in 1990 with FitzGerald collecting his first Munster title on the field of play. Cork later qualified for another All-Ireland appearance with Galway. Once again Cork were complete underdogs, however, in a thrilling and high-scoring game Cork defeated the men from the West, giving FitzGerald a second All-Ireland medal. Two years later in 1992 FitzGerald was captain of the team as he won a second Munster title on the field of play. Cork later faced Kilkenny in the championship decider, however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ on that occasion. Cork had now lost their last three All-Ireland final meetings with their arch-rivals Kilkenny, something which took the gloss off their wins over Galway. 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.

Teams