Fitzgerald praises O’Connor’s patience during ‘rough journey’

Luke Fitzgerald has revealed he feared for his career after spending a large chunk of 2014 battling abdomen and groin problems.

The 27-year-old Leinster utility back dropped onto the casualty list following their Pro12 victory over Munster last March, making his return in the 21-16 win at Castres in the Champions Cup in October.

Fitzgerald praised Leinster coach Matt O’Connor for his patience at a time when injuries and retirements had drained the pool of abundant talent the province had been used to calling on in recent years.

“It’s been a rough journey,” Fitzgerald said. “I just thought, ‘I’m doing three months of rehab here and I’m getting nowhere. I’m in a worse position than when I actually started.’

“Matty has been fantastic. It has been a tricky time for him with injuries and he has been really, really, patient with me because there was a time I just said, ‘Listen, I can’t come back in here. I’m banging my head against the wall.’

“One thing that is fantastic about the folks from around here and all around the province, anywhere I went the concern was genuine.

“It does help when you’re in those rough spots even if you’re saying, ‘God, I can’t answer this question one more time.’”

Fitzgerald has played the last three matches at outside-centre, a position he feels he is best suited to, though he hesitated when asked if the number 13 shirt would be his by now were it not for the frequency of injuries in the last two years.

“I don’t know is the honest answer,” he said.

“It’s very difficult. Last year, Brian was still here. It was pretty hard to get in with him in the team. We came to a place where we were short of numbers. Someone had to go in there. ‘He’s played there before. Give him a shot.’

“I definitely feel like I’m in a better place to play better there and be more creative, which is the side of the game I’m looking to develop.

“I feel like physically that’s an area where it suits me in there. I like the contact. I like tackling. I feel like defensively I’m a strong player in that aspect and I feel carrying the ball is a good part of my game. My footwork is probably a strength as well.”

The 27-cap Ireland international also backed O’Connor after criticism in some quarters of Leinster’s style of play this season and with the province in fifth place in the Pro12 table behind this weekend’s opponents Ulster.

“I just think he has been very unlucky. You luck at (Isa) Nacewa gone, Leo Cullen gone, Drico, Sexton, no Sean O’Brien, Cian Healy.

“If we come through this little period of games performing well and getting results I think we’re in a pretty good spot. I just know from working every day with the guy, my ownfeeling is that he is really knowledgeable, a really good coach, very organised and I’m always very impressed with him. I thought I played my best rugby under him last season.”