Lengkepan kalimah di handap ieu: Lahir di Knockraha, County Cork, Fitzgerald ngahadiran Christian Brothers College, Cork sarta meunang Munster Sakola Rugbi Senior Cup salila taun 1970-an. Salila 18 taun maén rugbi, Fitzgerald maén di barisan hareup pikeun University College Cork R.F.C. jeung Cork Constitution. Dina karir 19 taun, Fitzgerald ngalatih Christian Brothers College pikeun lima Munster Schools Senior Cups, ogé damel sareng Universitas Irlandia, Munster di handapeun-20 sareng UCC. Meureun prestasi na paling kasohor salaku palatih sumping di 1992, nalika anjeunna dilatih Munster ka meunangna 22-19 ngalawan lajeng-
juara dunya Australia di Musgrave Park.