Paddy FitzGerald
Encyclopedia
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.
with his local club in Midleton
. He enjoyed little success with the club, however, he also played with east Cork divisional side Imokilly
. It was with Imokilly that he lined out in the 1968 county senior championship
final. City stalwarts St. Finbarr's
were the opponents and won a remarkable game by 5-9 to 1-9.
in both years.
FitzGerald made his senior debut in a National Hurling League
game against Dublin
in 1958. His first championship start came later that summer in a Munster quarter-final against Clare
. Unfortunately, most of FitzGErald's career coincided with a sharp downturn in Cork’s hurling fortunes. He played in three consecutive Munster finals in 1959, 1960 and 1961, however, he ended up on the losing side on every occasion as the victors went on to contest the All-Ireland final.
After losing back-to-back Munster finals to Tipperray in 1964 and 1965 it looked as if FitzGerald would end his career without even a Munster medal, however, Cork hurling returned to centre stage in 1966. That year FitzGerald's side avoided Tipperary in the provincial championship and qualified for a Munster showdown with Waterford
. An entertaining hour of hurling followed, however, victory went to Cork by 4-9 to 2-9 for the first time in ten years. It was FitzGerald's first senior Munster
winners' medal. This victory allowed Cork to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where arch-rivals Kilkenny
provided the opposition. It was the first meeting of these two great sides since 1947 and ‘the Cats’ were installed as the firm favourites. In spite of this a hat-trick of goals by Colm Sheehan
gave Cork a merited 3-9 to 1-10 victory over an Eddie Keher
-inspired Kilkenny. It was FitzGerald's first All-Ireland
winners' medal.
Cork failed to retain their provincial and All-Ireland titles in 1967 while Tipperary trounced Cork by nine points in the Munster final a year later. FitzGerald retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.
in the inter-provincial series of games. He lost back-to-back finals to Leinster
in 1964 and 1965, however, in 1966 Mnster defeated their old rivals by 3-13 to 3-11. It was FitzGerald's first Railway Cup winners' medal. Defeat was his lot again in 1967 as Leinster avenged the previous year's defeat.
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...
retired sportsperson. He played 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...
with his local club 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 was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1958 until 1967. His son, Ger FitzGerald
Ger FitzGerald (hurler)
Ger FitzGerald is an Irish hurling manager and player. He is the current manager of the Cork under-21 hurling team....
, won 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....
medals with Cork in 1986 and 1990.
Club
FitzGerald played his club hurlingHurling
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...
with his local club in 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...
. He enjoyed little success with the club, however, he also played with east Cork divisional side Imokilly
Imokilly GAA
Imokilly GAA is a Gaelic football and Hurling division in the east of Cork, Ireland. The division includes towns such as Midleton, Cobh, and Youghal. It is one of eight divisions of Cork County Board. It organizes competitions for the clubs within the division, from Under 12 up to the adult level...
. It was with Imokilly that he lined out in the 1968 county senior 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....
final. City stalwarts 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....
were the opponents and won a remarkable game by 5-9 to 1-9.
Inter-county
FitzGerald first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor hurling team in the 1950s. He played for two seasons in 1956 and 1957, however, Cork were beaten by 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...
in both years.
FitzGerald made his senior debut in a National Hurling 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...
game against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in 1958. His first championship start came later that summer in a Munster quarter-final against Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
. Unfortunately, most of FitzGErald's career coincided with a sharp downturn in Cork’s hurling fortunes. He played in three consecutive Munster finals in 1959, 1960 and 1961, however, he ended up on the losing side on every occasion as the victors went on to contest the All-Ireland final.
After losing back-to-back Munster finals to Tipperray in 1964 and 1965 it looked as if FitzGerald would end his career without even a Munster medal, however, Cork hurling returned to centre stage in 1966. That year FitzGerald's side avoided Tipperary in the provincial championship and qualified for a Munster showdown with 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...
. An entertaining hour of hurling followed, however, victory went to Cork by 4-9 to 2-9 for the first time in ten years. It was FitzGerald's first senior 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....
winners' medal. This victory allowed Cork to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where arch-rivals 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 first meeting of these two great sides since 1947 and ‘the Cats’ were installed as the firm favourites. In spite of this a hat-trick of goals by Colm Sheehan
Colm Sheehan
Colm Sheehan is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Éire Óg and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1965 until 1968.-Club:...
gave Cork a merited 3-9 to 1-10 victory over an Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
-inspired Kilkenny. 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.
Cork failed to retain their provincial and All-Ireland titles in 1967 while Tipperary trounced Cork by nine points in the Munster final a year later. FitzGerald retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.
Inter-provincial
FitzGerald was also called up to play with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial series of games. He lost back-to-back finals to Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in 1964 and 1965, however, in 1966 Mnster defeated their old rivals by 3-13 to 3-11. It was FitzGerald's first Railway Cup winners' medal. Defeat was his lot again in 1967 as Leinster avenged the previous year's defeat.