Dick Fitzgerald
Encyclopedia
Dick Fitzgerald was an Irish
sportsperson. He played Gaelic football
with his local club Dr. Crokes
and was a member of the Kerry
senior inter-county team from 1903 until 1923. Fitzgerald captained Kerry to back-to-back All-Ireland
titles in 1913 and 1914
in 1884. His introduction to competitive football occurred during his studies in St. Brendan's College
Killarney
, where his wonderful football technique and ability became apparent. He later became a household name for his screw-kicking and ball control as well as the utmost respect from his fellow players through his captaincy.
in the All-Ireland final
. These games became part of sporting history when Kerry wrested the All-Ireland championship from the “ All Whites” after three encounters.
In 1906, at the invitation of the Kerrymen of New York, he visited the USA and played for Kerry in the New York Championship, which they won. He also took part in the Croke Memorial, which pitted Kerry against Louth. This game went to a replay with Kerry winning it at Jones Road. It was the first time a four-figure sum was received for a match and with this money the G.A.A purchased Croke Park
.
Fitzgerald captained the two winning teams of 1913 and 1914 against Wexford
but retired from the game he loved so much after their defeat in 1915 against the same opposition. This did not stop Fitzgerald’s fascination with the beautiful game.
After the 1916 Easter Rising he was held in detention in South Wales. Here he organized with other Gaelic prisoners an All-Ireland Competition himself leading Kerry to a one point victory in the final over Louth. Overall he won 5 All-Ireland medals with Kerry and 10 Munster Championship medals as well as winning the first two Railway shields with Munster beating Leinster.
After hanging up his boots he continued in the administrative side of the organisation. He became representative to the Central Council 1917, Kerry Selector 1918, Delegate to Congress 1919. He served on the Munster Council from 1920 until his death. He was the first chairman of the East Kerry Board and also Chairman of Dr Crokes. In 1929 he was appointed a special vice-chairman of the Kerry Selection Committee without a vote, in appreciation of his service to the county. Dick was also a member of Killarney UDC from 1917 until his death.
Immediately after his death the Dr Croke Club began a campaign to develop a field in his honor. In 1936 Fitzgerald's Stadium
opened and stands today as one of Irelands finest sporting arena's.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Dr. Crokes
Dr. Crokes
Dr Crokes is a Gaelic football club based in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. Famous current players include Colm "Gooch" Cooper and Eoin Brosnan....
and was a member of the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
senior inter-county team from 1903 until 1923. Fitzgerald captained Kerry to back-to-back All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
titles in 1913 and 1914
Biography
Dick was born in College Street, KillarneyKillarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
in 1884. His introduction to competitive football occurred during his studies in St. Brendan's College
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
, where his wonderful football technique and ability became apparent. He later became a household name for his screw-kicking and ball control as well as the utmost respect from his fellow players through his captaincy.
Playing career
However it was not until 1903 that ‘Dickeen’, as he was familiarly called, came before the public eye, when Kerry played KildareKildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
in the All-Ireland final
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
. These games became part of sporting history when Kerry wrested the All-Ireland championship from the “ All Whites” after three encounters.
In 1906, at the invitation of the Kerrymen of New York, he visited the USA and played for Kerry in the New York Championship, which they won. He also took part in the Croke Memorial, which pitted Kerry against Louth. This game went to a replay with Kerry winning it at Jones Road. It was the first time a four-figure sum was received for a match and with this money the G.A.A purchased Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
.
Fitzgerald captained the two winning teams of 1913 and 1914 against Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
but retired from the game he loved so much after their defeat in 1915 against the same opposition. This did not stop Fitzgerald’s fascination with the beautiful game.
After the 1916 Easter Rising he was held in detention in South Wales. Here he organized with other Gaelic prisoners an All-Ireland Competition himself leading Kerry to a one point victory in the final over Louth. Overall he won 5 All-Ireland medals with Kerry and 10 Munster Championship medals as well as winning the first two Railway shields with Munster beating Leinster.
Later life
He later proceeded to write a book on Gaelic football entitled “How to play Gaelic football” which was the first of its kind in the organisation.After hanging up his boots he continued in the administrative side of the organisation. He became representative to the Central Council 1917, Kerry Selector 1918, Delegate to Congress 1919. He served on the Munster Council from 1920 until his death. He was the first chairman of the East Kerry Board and also Chairman of Dr Crokes. In 1929 he was appointed a special vice-chairman of the Kerry Selection Committee without a vote, in appreciation of his service to the county. Dick was also a member of Killarney UDC from 1917 until his death.
Immediately after his death the Dr Croke Club began a campaign to develop a field in his honor. In 1936 Fitzgerald's Stadium
FitzGerald Stadium
Fitzgerald Stadium is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Killarney, Ireland, and is the home championship venue for the Kerry senior football team....
opened and stands today as one of Irelands finest sporting arena's.