Nulis hiji tuluyan pikeun ayat ieu - Dilahirkeun di Knockraha, County Cork, Fitzgerald dihadiran Christian Brothers College, Cork jeung meunang Munster Sakola Rugbi Senior Cup salila 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 nu kawentar salaku palatih datang dina 1992, nalika anjeunna dilatih Munster ka 22-19 meunangna ngalawan lajeng-juara dunya
Australia di Taman Musgrave.