Fitzgerald winning an even bigger battle

HE has been giddy with anticipation all week. Ever since he got the green light from the medical staff in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire to go to Croke Park this evening, Dessie Fitzgerald can scarcely think of anything else.

The Charleville club that he has given a life of service to are set for a landmark day as they feature in the All-Ireland club junior hurling final against Kilkenny champions St Patrick’s.

The North Cork town will be emptied of its inhabitants as the mass migration to Dublin takes place. And Fitzgerald, who has been absent ever since suffering a serious spinal injury when playing centre-back in the Cork junior hurling semi-final last October, will be with his friends, neighbours and family soaking in the atmosphere as the team, featuring his brother Conor at full-back, chase national glory.