Fitzgerald has a fear of flying forwards

KIERAN FITZGERALD admits that one of his pet hates is “fast full-forwards!”

No doubt, many of them would hold similar views about defenders of his quality. Availing of the qualifier series last year to establish himself at corner-back in Galway's successful campaign, he is full-back on the Under-21 team which faces Dublin in Sunday's All-Ireland final in Portlaoise (3pm).

Actually, he just made the team this year by the skin of his teeth, beating the age limit by a day.

And he's all the time reminded that under-21 medals are rare in a county that has always enjoyed a high profile in the senior grade.

Their one and only title came 30 years ago, with a team captained by Joe Waldron, who played at right corner-back.

"Yes, last year was a bit of a fairy tale for me and a few of the other lads. It would be lovely to be able to add an under-21 medal," Fitzgerald said.

In his first season with the team, they defeated a fancied Mayo side in the Connacht final, before losing to Tyrone in their next outing.

Last year he was picked for the opening round of the Connacht senior football championship against Leitrim except that he didn't finish the game.

And he was on the bench when Roscommon achieved an unexpected win in the semi-final. To add to his woes, the under-21s had been knocked out by Sligo.

However, his luck changed when he was recalled to the senior team for the first-round qualifier game against Wicklow on June 30. It was the start of a roller-coaster ride which culminated in the winning of the Sam Maguire Cup. To cap it all, he ended up winning an Allstar award.

It's not always easy for players to make the transition from one grade to another during a season specifically when competing against footballers of their own age.

"What happens sometimes is that players think they are going to have it 'handy'. But, it's just as hard, if not harder, because people are going to give you more stick," Fitzgerald said. The fact that the team is run by the senior management (plus a selector) means that training sessions can dovetail with each other. Fitzgerald insists that the senior players on the under-21 team have been "very committed" all year, even when they had a twin focus.

"The great thing about playing at under-21 is that you are with lads you went to school with. It would be great to win an All-Ireland with them."

A recent recruit to the Garda Síochána, Fitzgerald stresses that Galway need to improve on their display against Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.

"We started very well, but then we left them back into it. We just lost concentration."

What impresses him about Dublin is that they have seven of their senior panel.

"You're looking at several players close to getting Allstars, Stephen Kluxton, for instance, and Alan Brogan, who may get Young Player of the Year. And you have Paul Casey and Barry Cahill, who are both very good players."

More specifically, he is conscious of the threat posed by the Dublin full-forward line.

"They are fast and Portlaoise is a big pitch. Mossie Quinn kicked six points against Tyrone and they would have been one of the favourites to win it. They are a quality team. Then you have Alan Brogan and Graham Cullen who was a minor last year and is fairly handy as well.

"There's no doubt about it. We face a daunting task. It's great to have somebody like John O'Mahony in charge, because he is such a great motivator. But, playing in an All-Ireland final is motivation in itself!"