Background
Fitzgerland was born in Loughrea, County Galway.
Fitzgerland was born in Loughrea, County Galway.
He captained Ireland to the Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985, and the Five Nations Championship in 1983. Fitzgerald also captained the Lions on their 1983 tour. After the conclusion of his playing career, Fitzgerald was coach of the national team
Fitzgerald played for University College Galway R.F.C., and then went on to play senior rugby for Saint Mary"s College in Dublin.
Fitzgerald rose to prominence in the game, and made his test debut for Ireland against Australia on 3 June 1979, during an Irish tour of Australia. He captained Ireland to the Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985, and the Five Nations Championship in 1983.
Fitzgerald"s last test came against Scotland on 15 March 1986 in that year"s Five Nations Championship. In total, Fitzgerald received 22 competitive and three friendly caps for Ireland.
He scored once, a try against Wales, in the 1980 Five Nations.
Fitzgerald also captained the British and Irish Lions team on their 1983 tour, when the team traveled to New Zealand and were beaten in each test against the All Blacks. He also played minor hurling for Galway the team he played with reached the minor final against Cork in 1970. Fitzgerald studied in University College Galway, gaining a Bachelor"s degree in 1973.
Playing in the amateur era, Fitzgerald also maintained a career in the Irish Army.
He also served as the aide de camp to the President, Doctor Patrick Hillery during his career. Following his retirement from playing, Fitzgerald has continued to be involved in the game, and served as head coach of Ireland from 1990 to 1992, leading the side to the 1991 Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals.
He has also had a career in media, appearing on Setanta Sports and RTÉ, the Irish national television and radio service, as a rugby pundit.