Tributes paid after Cork and Midleton legend Ger Fitzgerald passes away aged 60

The Magpies forward was a key part of the All-Ireland victories in 1986 and 1990.

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025 - 09:18

Adrian Russell

Cork GAA legend Ger Fitzgerald has passed away after an illness at 60.

The Midleton clubman won two All-Irelands with the Rebels; first in 1986 and secondly with the 1990 side that set up an historic double.

1990 captain Tomás Mulcahy paid tribute to his former teammate: "Very sad news to hear this morning that our colleague and former hurling star Ger Fitzgerald has passed away - What a sad loss to his family and all the Cork Gaa community - May you rest in peace Ger."

Fitzgerald skippered Cork to a Munster title in 1992, in a final against Limerick.

HEY DAY: Cork's Ger Fitzgerald gets a shot away despite the attention of Tipperary's Conal Bonnar. Pic: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE.

A proud clubman, Fitzgerald announced himself at 19 years of age in the 1983 Cork County final, hitting 1-2, as the Magpies defeated a four-in-a-row chasing St Finbarr’s side.

He won three more county championships with Midleton on the field and later managed his club to another title in 2021.

"Very saddened at the passing of Ger Fitzgerald, who made an outstanding contribution to GAA," An Taoiseach, Michéal Martin wrote,"A talented hurler, Ger won 2 All Irelands with Cork in ‘86 & ‘90. He was also a wonderful coach & mentor to so many young people in his beloved Midleton Deepest sympathies to his family"

A very sad day for Cork and for hurling. That was Patrick Horgan's immediate reaction to the passing of his former coach. Horgan said he was coached by Fitzgerald for both underage and senior Cork teams over the years and he expressed sorrow at news of his passing.

Asked if Fitzgerald was involved in Cork backroom teams at the beginning of Horgan's lengthy senior career, the Glen Rovers man nodded.

"Yeah, he would have been, he would have been around our Cork minor team as well," said Horgan at the launch of John West Feile 2025 at Croke Park.

"It's sad, it's very sad. It's hard, it's terrible, it's hard to know what to even say.

"Just a really friendly fella, loads of time for him. When it was time to get serious, he was well able for that too. But yeah, just a nice fella is what I would say. He really gave us a good start there in the minors and gave us a good set up. A good sort of fella to be around as well."

Former Antrim and Ruairí Óg Cushendall hurler Sambo McNaughton added: "Such sad news to hear the passing of Ger Fitzgerald. A star of one of the greatest club teams I ever seen & had the honour to play against. Ger had many admirers in the Glens. Condolences to his family & all at the Midleton Club."