Born in
Knockraha,
County Cork, Fitzgerald attended
Christian Brothers College, Cork and won a
Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup during the 1970s. During an 18-year playing career in rugby union, Fitzgerald played in the
front-row for
University College Cork R.F.C. and
Cork Constitution. In a 19-year coaching career, Fitzgerald coached Christian Brothers College to five Munster Schools Senior Cups, as well as working with
Irish Universities, Munster under-20s and UCC. Perhaps his most famous achievement as a coach came in 1992, when he coached
Munster to a 22–19 victory against then-
world champions Australia in
Musgrave Park. Fitzgerald became Munster's CEO in 1999 and was a driving force behind the province becoming a European powerhouse. He was at the helm for some of the greatest days in the province's history, including their coveted first
Heineken Cup success in
2006, followed by a second triumph in
2008, as well as three league triumphs in
2002–03,
2008–09 and
2010–11. He also oversaw the redevelopment of both
Thomond Park and
Musgrave Park, and the consolidation of Munster's training bases in Cork and Limerick into one base at the
University of Limerick. Post-retirement, Fitzgerald was honoured with the ''
Richard Harris Patron's Award'' at Munster's annual London dinner in September 2019. The award recognises an individual who encapsulates Munster's values, and Fitzgerald was similarly recognised by the
Federation of Irish Sport for his contributions. In December 2019, the
University of Limerick awarded Fitzgerald an honorary doctorate. Fitzgerald was posthumously inducted into the
Munster Rugby Hall of Fame in November 2020, and, in 2021, the trophy awarded to the winners of the
Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup was renamed the
Garrett Fitzgerald Cup in tribute to him. ==References==