He was the manager of the Waterford county team from 2022 until 2024, having previously managed the team between 2008 and 2011. As a player, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.[1]
At inter-county level, Fitzgerald was part of a Clare minor team that won the Munster Championship in 1989, before he later lined out with the Clare under-21 team. He joined the Clare senior team in 1990. From his debut, Fitzgerald was ever-present as a goalkeeper and made a combined total of 148 National League and Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in 2006. During that time he was part of two All-Ireland Championship-winning teams – in 1995 and 1997. Fitzgerald also secured three Munster Championship medals. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 31 March 2008.[2][3]
Fitzgerald won his first All-Star in 1995, before claiming a further two All-Stars in 2002 and 2005. He is currently Clare's record championship appearer, having played in 60 championship games. At inter-provincial level, Fitzgerald was selected to play in seven championship campaigns with Munster and won Railway Cup medals in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2005.
Even as a player, Fitzgerald became involved in team management and coaching at club level. After coaching every grade of Sixmilebridge team from juvenile to senior, he later had an unsuccessful tenure in charge of Nenagh Éire Óg. Fitzgerald subsequently became director of hurling at the Limerick Institute of Technology with whom he won two Fitzgibbon Cup titles.
Fitzgerald's first managerial role at inter-county level was with Waterford in 2008. In his four seasons in charge he guided the team to a first All-Ireland final appearance in 45 years as well as the Munster Championship title in 2010. Fitzgerald later spent five seasons as manager of the Clare senior team who he guided to the All-Ireland title in 2013 and a first National League title in 38 years. After stepping down as Clare manager he took charge of the Wexford senior team, winning the Leinster Championship in 2019.
On 26 September 2019, Fitzgerald confirmed that he would be staying on with the Wexford senior hurlers for another two seasons. He had been linked to vacant Galway hurling managerial position but said that he never spoke to anyone other than the Wexford County Board.[4] He announced his departure from Wexford on 30 July 2021, and began a second term as Deise manager in August 2022.
Early life
Fitzgerald's father Pat served as secretary of the Clare County Board from June 1990.[5][6] In June 2022, Pat Fitzgerald announced his intention to resign from the role after 32 years.[7]
Playing career
Club
Fitzgerald played his club hurling with his local team in Sixmilebridge and enjoyed much success in a career that spanned four decades and 100 senior championship games.[8]
After making his debut as a substitute in Sixmilebridge's opening championship game in 1989, Fitzgerald subsequently took over from Brendan Flynn as first-choice goalkeeper. It was a successful debut season as he captured his first county championship medal following a 3–14 to 1–11 defeat of Clarecastle.
In 1992 Sixmilebridge were back in the championship decider. A narrow 1–11 to 1–10 defeat of Éire Óg gave victory to "the Bridge" and gave Fitzgerald a second county championship medal.[9]
For only the second time in the history of the club, Sixmilebridge retained their championship title in 1993 following a 3–8 to 2–6 defeat of O'Callaghan's Mills. It was Fitzgerald's third county championship medal.
Three-in-a-row proved beyond Sixmilebridge, however, the team bounced back to reach the championship decider again in 1995. Scariff provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Sixmilebridge secured the victory by just a single point on a score line of 2–10 to 0–15. The win gave Fitzgerald a fourth county championship medal. "The Bridge" later qualified for the provincial decider against Tipp champions Nenagh Éire Óg. A converted penalty by Fitzgerald helped the team to a 2–18 to 1–7 victory and the Munster title. Sixmilebridge later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Dunloy were the opponents. The Ulstermen provided little opposition as the Clare champions surged to a 5–10 to 2–6 victory. It was Fitzgerald's first All-Ireland medal.[10]
After losing the championship decider in 1999, Sixmilebridge bounced back the following year to reach the county showpiece once again. Éire Óg were the opponents, however, Fitzgerald won a fifth championship medal following a 4–9 to 1–8 defeat of Éire Óg.[11] He later added a second Munster medal to his collection following a 2–17 to 3–8 defeat of Mount Sion in the provincial final.[12]
After surrendering their title in 2001, Sixmilebridge returned to the county final the following year. Clarecastle provided the opposition, however, a 3–10 to 2–8 victory gave Fitzgerald his sixth championship medal.[13] This win also proved to be his last major victory with the club.
Fitzgerald continued with Sixmilebridge until he decided to retire after the 2008 championship. He came out of retirement in 2011 to make his 100th appearance and help the club to qualify for the county final once again.[14]
Clare
Minor and under-21
Fitzgerald first played for Clare as a member of the minor team during the 1989 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 19 April 1989 when he lined out in goal in a 7-08 to 0-07 defeat of Cork. On 2 July 1989, Fitzgerald won a Munster Championship medal after Clare's 2-13 to 2-12 defeat of Limerick in the final.[15] On 3 September 1989, he again lined out in goal when Clare suffered a 2-16 to 1-12 defeat by Offaly in the All-Ireland final.[16]
Fitzgerald was drafted onto the Clare under-21 team in advance of the 1990 Munster Championship. He made his debut in the grade on 20 June 1990 when he lined out in goal in a 2-11 to 2-05 defeat of Cork.
On 15 July 1992, Fitzgerald lined out in goal when Clare faced Waterford in the Munster final. he ended the game on the losing side after a 0-17 to 1-12 defeat.[17] It was Fitzgerald's last game n the grade.
Senior
Fitzgerald was just out of the minor grade when he was added to the Clare senior team during the 1989-90 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 19 February 1990 when he lined out in goal in Clare's 4-10 to 1-11 defeat of Down. After impressing in goal over the remainder of the league and finishing top of Division 2, Fitzgerald became first-choice goalkeeper for the 1990 Munster Championship. He made his debut on 13 May 1990 in a 2-16 to 1-05 defeat by Limerick.
On 4 July 1993, Fitzgerald lined out in goal when Clare qualified for their first Munster final appearance since 1986. Fitzgerald ended the game on the losing side following the 3-27 to 2-12 defeat by Tipperary.[18]
After winning a second National League Division 2 title, Fitzgerald lined out in a second successive Munster final on 10 July 1994. He ended on the losing side after suffering 0-25 to 2-10 defeat by Limerick.[19]
On 7 May 1995, Fitzgerald lined out in his first National League final. He conceded two goals in the 2-12 to 0-09 defeat by Kilkenny.[20] Fitzgerald lined out in a third successive Munster final on 9 July 1995 with Limerick providing the opposition for the second year in-a-row. One of the most enduring moments in the decade was of Fitzgerald scampering back the length of Semple Stadium’s pitch after scoring a first-half penalty.[21] He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1-17 to 0-11 victory.[22] On 3 September 1995, Fitzgerald lined out in goal when Clare qualified for the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1932. He conceded two goals but ended the game with an All-Ireland medal following a 1-13 to 2-08 victory.[23] Fitzgerald ended the season by being named in the goalkeeping position on the All-Star team.
Fitzgerald lined out in the fourth Munster final of his career on 6 July 1997. He ended the game with a second winners' medal after the 1-18 to 0-18 defeat of Tipperary.[24] On 14 September 1997, Fitzgerald was once again in goal when Clare renewed their rivalry with Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. He conceded two goals but collected a second All-Ireland medal following the 0-20 to 2-13 victory.[25]
On 12 July 1998, Fitzgerald lined out in goal when Clare drew 1-16 to 3-10 with Waterford in the Munster final.[26] He retained his position for the replay a week later and made an important save from a Paul Flynn free in the 60th minute. Fitzgerald ended the game with a third winners' medal in four years after the 2-16 to 0-10 victory.[27]
After a number of disappointing championship seasons, Clare surprised the hurling world by qualifying for the All-Ireland final again in 2002. Fitzgerald's side put up a good fight against Kilkenny, however, a combined tally of 2–13 for both Henry Shefflin and D. J. Carey gave 'the Cats' a seven-point victory.[28]
After a number of disappointing seasons and some near misses, Clare bounced back in 2005. In spite of an early exit from the provincial campaign Fitzgerald's side subsequently qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Cork. In that game Clare had the reigning All-Ireland champions on the ropes. Clare led by six points at one stage, however, Cork fought back to defeat Clare by just one point.
In 2006 Clare were comprehensively defeated by Cork in their opening game in the championship. After topping group B of the qualifier series for the second consecutive year Clare subsequently defeated Wexford to set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kilkenny. Clare, however, were defeated once again.
In early 2007 speculation was rife that Fitzgerald was on the cusp of retiring due to his unhappiness with certain aspects of the county set-up and a difference of opinion with new manager Tony Considine.[29] He was later omitted from Clare's National League panel in spite of a crisis meeting between Fitzgerald and Considine.[30] As a result of the disagreement between the two men, Fitzgerald also remained sidelined for the championship campaign. At the end of the year Fitzgerald contemplated a return to inter-county hurling once again.[31] In early 2008 he returned to the Clare senior hurling team under new manager Mike McNamara. He played a challenge match against Kilkenny, however, a serious finger injury hampered his style of play. After this unsuccessful return he eventually decided to retire from inter-county hurling on 31 March 2008.
Inter-provincial
Fitzgerald also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling championship where he played alongside his championship rivals from other Munster hurling counties. He first played for his province in 1993 as Munster were surprisingly defeated by Ulster in the semi-final.
By 1996 Fitzgerald was the first-choice 'keeper on the Munster team. A 2–20 to 0–10 defeat of Leinster gave him his first Railway Cup medal on the field of play. He added a second successive Railway Cup medal to his collection in 1997 following another defeat of Leinster.
After an absence of a number of years, Fitzgerald was recalled to the Munster team in 2005. A 1–21 to 2–14 defeat of Leinster gave him his third Railway Cup winners' medal.[32]
Poc Fada
Fitzgerald has also enjoyed success in the famous Poc Fada competition held annually in the Cooley Mountains Winning the men’s senior event in 1999 and 2002. Fitzgerald has also been a winner in the pairs competition on 5 occasions winning in 1993 with Michael Shaughnessy of Galway, in 1998 with Seamus McMullan of Antrim, in 2002 with Graham Clarke of Down, in 2005 with Damien Fitzhenry of Wexford and in 2007 with Albert Shanahan of Limerick[33]
Two years later LIT were back in the Fitzgibbon decider once again. A 2–15 to 0–13 defeat of the National University of Ireland, Galway gave LIT the title and gave Fitzgerald a second Fitzgibbon Cup as manager.[34]
Sixmilebridge
Even during his playing days Fitzgerald became heavily involved in coaching and managing teams. Since the early 1990s he has coached virtually every team from juvenile to senior with his own native Sixmilebridge club. In 2005 he was appointed manager of the club's senior hurling team.[35] His tenure was an unsuccessful one as a number of new clubs emerged to shake up the championship.
Nenagh Éire Óg
In 2008 Fitzgerald took over as manager of the Nenagh Éire Óg club team in Tipperary. After two successive losses to Borris-Ileigh and Toomevara in the North Tipperary championship, his tenure was in doubt, however, he eventually walked away due to his commitments as an inter-county manager.[36]
Waterford manager
Following Justin McCarthy's resignation as manager of the Waterford senior hurling team following a defeat by Clare, Fitzgerald was ratified as his successor for the duration of the 2008 championship.[37] Waterford defeated Antrim, Offaly, Wexford. Waterford having lost the previous all ireland semi finals 2004, 2006 & 2007. Davy guided waterford to victory over Tipperary saw Waterford reach the 2008 All-Ireland final for the first time in forty-five years. Kilkenny provided the opposition and went on to trounce Waterford by 3–30 to 1–13 to claim a third All-Ireland title in-a-row.[38]
After a disappointing National League campaign in 2009, Waterford still qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny. Despite a far better performance than the previous encounter, Waterford lost 2–23 to 3–15.[39]
In 2010 Fitzgerald guided Waterford back to the Munster final for a second consecutive year. Cork provided the opposition, however, a 2–15 apiece draw was the result. The subsequent replay saw Waterford win the provincial title by 1–16 to 1–13.[40]
Fitzgerald's final season in charge featured some high points as well as a lot of negative criticism. After a 7–19 to 0–19 trouncing at the hands of Tipperary in the 2011 Munster final, Waterford still reached a fourth successive All-Ireland semi-final.[41] Kilkenny once again put a halt to Waterford's All-Ireland hopes with a six-point defeat.
Following this defeat Fitzgerald informed the Waterford county board that he would not be seeking another term as manager of the senior hurling team bringing an end to his four years in charge.[42][43]
Clare manager
On 11 October 2011, Fitzgerald was confirmed as the Clare senior hurling manager on a three-year term.[44][45] His first season in charge saw Clare gain promotion from Division 1B following a defeat of Limerick in the final.[46]
On 18 August 2013, Clare got to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final after a 1–22 to 0–18 win against Limerick at Croke Park.[47] On 28 September Fitzgerald managed Clare to win the All Ireland senior title, beating Cork 5–16 to 3–16 in a replay.[48][49] In October 2013, Fitzgerald was handed a further three-year extension in charge of the Clare team which will bring him up to the end of 2016.[50] Clare failed to defend their All-Ireland title in 2014, eventually losing to Wexford by 2-25 to 2-22 in a round 1 qualifier replay in Wexford.[51]
Clare were knocked out of the 2016 Championship by Galway in the quarter-finals on 24 July, losing by six points. On 21 September 2016, Fitzgerald stepped down as Clare Senior Hurling manager, informing the Clare County Board that he would not be seeking reappointment for 2017.[56] In a statement issued by Clare Hurlers, Fitzgerald said, "One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to manage the Clare Senior Hurling team and I am immensely proud of the success achieved during my time at the helm, in light of the ensuing meeting and the divided opinions expressed by the players, I have decided that it would be in the best interests of Clare hurling that I step down from the role of manager.”[57][58][59]
Wexford manager
On 7 October 2016, Fitzgerald was appointed as manager of the Wexford senior hurling team for a three-year term.[60][61][62] On 19 February, Wexford defeated Galway by 1-21 to 3-13 in the 2017 National Hurling League at Pearse Stadium to record their second win out of two games.[63] On 12 March 2017, Wexford achieved promotion to Division 1A of the National Hurling League with a game to spare after a 1-17 to 0-15 win against Offaly.[64][65] On 2 April 2017, Wexford defeated Kilkenny by 2-18 to 0-19 at Nowlan Park in the quarter-finals of the National Hurling league, it was only the third victory from the last 21 meetings with Kilkenny.[66]
On 16 April 2017, during the league semi-final defeat against Tipperary, Fitzgerald entered the field to challenge referee Diarmuid Kirwan thinking that it should have been a free to Wexford before the second Tipperary goal. He confronted Tipperary’s Niall O’Meara and shoved Jason Forde before leaving the field of play.[67][68] Four days later Fitzgerald was handed an eight-week suspension by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee.[69] On 10 June 2017, Wexford defeated Kilkenny by 1-20 to 3-11 in the 2017 Leinster Championship semi-final to qualify for their first Leinster final in nine years. It was also their first summer win against Kilkenny in thirteen years. In 2018, Wexford recorded wins over Waterford, Clare and Cork in Division 1A of the National Hurling League, staying up with a game to spare. They bet Galway in the league quarter final and lost to Kilkenny in the semi-final, who went on to win the competition. In the Leinster championship, they beat Dublin by 2 points in the second round, having had a bye in the first round. They then annihilated Offaly on a scoreline of 5-24 to 2-9, but lost to Galway by 9 points in Wexford Park the week after. It all came down to Nowlan park the following week against Kilkenny. The winners of this game would determine who would join Galway in the Leinster final. Wexford put on a great first half display and were winning by 9 points at one stage, but faded and lost by a single point. This led Wexford to a preliminary quarter final against Westmeath, the Joe Mcdonagh cup losers. Having won this game, a date with Clare was set up in Páirc Ui Chaoímh in the All Ireland quarter final. They lost this game on a scoreline of 1-17 to 0-28, with Fitzgerald's future with Wexford being undetermined. Weeks later, the Wexford players took the bus to Clare and travelled to his house and managed to convince him to stay. Wexford Weekly reported that the possibility of him managing the u20 team also was not unlikely. At the Hurling For Cancer game in Newbridge, he stated that he aims to take Wexford to "another level" in 2019. [70][71][72] On 2 July 2017, Wexford lost to Galway in the Leinster Final by 1-17 to 0-29 and went on to play Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter-finals on 23 July 2017.[73] In the quarter-final, Wexford lost by 1-19 to 1-23.[74][75][76]
In June 2019, Fitzgerald guided Wexford to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final after drawing with Dublin, Galway and Kilkenny whilst beating Carlow in round 4. Wexford advanced to the final on scoring difference after a dramatic round 5 draw with Kilkenny left four teams; Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin and Galway level on 5 points. [77] On 30 June 2019, Wexford won their first Leinster Senior Hurling title since 2004 after an impressive 1-23 to 0-23 win over Kilkenny. It was Wexford's first win over Kilkenny in eight attempts and was played in front of a crowd of 51,842 in Croke Park. [78][79]
On 30 July 2021, Fitzgerald stepped down as Wexford manager after five years in charge.[80][81]
Under Fitzgerald, Wexford won one knockout match in GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship in 5 years, against Westmeath in 2018.[82]
Waterford manager
On 11 August 2022, Fitzgerald was appointed Waterford Senior hurling manager for a second time on a two-year term with an option for a third term.[83] Under Fitzgerald, Waterford failed to get out of the Munster Championship in 2023 and 2024. In March 2024 Waterford were relegated from Division 1A in the National Hurling League.[84][deprecated source]
After 2 years in charge, Fitzgerald stepped down as manager on 2 July 2024.[85]
Antrim manager
On 12 August 2024, Fitzgerald was appointed Antrim Senior hurling manager on a two-year term with an option for a third year.[86]
Personal life
Fitzgerald was married to Ciara Flynn and they had a son, with Fitzgerald having a second son 25 years later in 2022, after marrying Sharon O'Loughlin in 2019.[87]
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