'He was our north star': Cork legend Ger Fitzgerald remembered for skill on the pitch and commitment to club and county

The Midleton clubman's wife Kathryn revealed, in a touching eulogy, what his instructions were: 'drive on'.

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025 - 13:00

John Fogarty

Ger Fitzgerald’s utter dedication to Midleton and Cork were remembered by his wife Kathryn at his funeral mass on Friday.

Winner of two All-Ireland senior medals with Cork in 1986 and ’90 and the highest club honour with Midleton in ’88, Fitzgerald passed away on Tuesday at the age of 60.

In a beautiful eulogy to her husband in his town’s Holy Rosary Church, Kathryn Fitzgerald spoke of the literal lengths he went to for his cherished teams. “Since a young boy, he was always a proud and talented player. He grew into a true GAA man, an honorable and devoted club member. A player with enviable skills.

“He was fully committed to every team he played on and later coached, mentored and managed. His achievements are well documented but he was as gracious when he lost as when he won.

“Thirty-three years ago, we walked up the aisle here, walked down the aisle married. February was the month in the year with the least number of matches. It was also the year he captained Cork. I have enduring memories of him slapping a sliotar against the side wall of our house night and day to keep his skills on track.

“He consistently drove the training after a day’s work in Dublin Airport, to Cork and Midleton, returning in the early hours only to do it again two days later. Every weekend was spent playing in or attending matches.

“I know now his sliotar practice was not wasted as he never lost those skills. Very recently in the dark of night when moving around the room he tripped against a tall cabinet on top of which was perched a small, round, white candle.

“His well-honed skills kicked in and by the time I had the light on, he was on the ground with the candle held firmly in his hand before it reached the carpet. Having caught it, he then looked for a man to pass it to.”

Fitzgerald joined the Defence Forces at the age of 16 and served on two tours of Lebanon with the United Nations peacekeepers. He later worked with Aer Lingus as an aircraft technical engineer.

“He was extremely adept at turning up at Aer Lingus counters across the world and asking to travel in the cockpit jump-seat, always emphasising that he was an engineer and omitting the word ‘technical’,” smiled Kathryn.

From Dublin, the Fitzgeralds returned to Midleton in 1998 where they raised three daughters Laura, Kim and Jayne. “If pride could be measured, it would be off the scale,” added Kathryn. “He was our north star, our light, our guidance, our direction.”

Since 2001, Fitzgerald had been working as depot manager in Pat O’Donnell’s plant machinery and hire in Glanmire. In 2018, he qualified from UCC with a Masters degree in occupational health. During his illness, he joined support and mindfulness groups as well as partnered with PhD students in UCC to research the treatments available to cancer patients.

Kathryn concluded: “As Ger’s time to go came nearer – and please believe he did not want to go – we had lovely family chats. His instructions to us were very clear and can be summed up in two words – ‘drive on’.” In his homily, Monsignor Jim Killeen hailed Fitzgerald’s sporting exploits. “For many people here and many people not here today, Ger Fitzgerald will be synonymous with Cork and Midleton GAA.

“As many of you know far better than I do, after a sterling career as a player, he then generously and very successfully gave of his talent as a coach at both club and county level. Indeed, if I may quote Shakespeare, when it came to Cork and Midleton GAA, it’s true to say he did bestride the narrow world like a colossus.”

Five Munster titles, three with Cork and two with Midleton, Fitzgerald added to his four Cork senior county crowns as a player with one as manager in 2021. He had previously guided Cork’s minors to provincial success in 2006.

His considerable fundraising efforts for The Mercy Hospital Foundation were also acknowledged as well as his establishment of a “Monday Club” for senior and retired members of Midleton GAA.

His former club and county-mate John Fenton, current chairman of Midleton, offered a prayer of the faithful during the mass.