Kieran Fitzgerald: ‘There is nothing like it’
Kieran Fitzgerald has won 11 Galway SFC titles with Corofin.
By Cian O’Connell
‘There is nothing like it,’ Kieran Fitzgerald states as the topic of conversation switches to playing in Croke Park and the summer of 2001 when Galway burst through the backdoor to win the All Ireland title.
GAA headquarters remains the venue every hurler and footballer wants to perform on; back then Fitzgerald was a flame haired youngster earning plaudits and silverware. Sixteen years later, though, the aim is still much the same.
Fitzgerald has won 11 Galway SFC titles with Corofin, but the St Patrick’s Day success over Slaughtneil in 2015 carries special meaning. “I probably haven't played in Croke Park as much as I would have liked,” Fitzgerald, who is looking forward to Saturday’s intriguing AlB All Ireland SFC Semi-Final with Dr Crokes, says.
“I played with Galway there a number of times, but the feeling of running out on Croke Park with Corofin in 2015 was hugely emotional. It gives you shivers when you even think about it.
“To think we are 60 minutes away from that again is a massive, massive motivation. We would be hoping to draw on that experience and hoping it will help us get over the line, but we are up against a huge test. They are a really good, slick unit. Their forwards are very, very talent.
“For the prize that is there the challenge has to be really difficult. That is the way it is. If you want to play in an All Ireland Club Final you are going to be coming up against massive challenges to get there. That is what makes it so valuable.”
The game and the possibilities that exist in sport continue to drive Corofin. “Yeah, it is all we know really,” Fitzgerald remarks.
“I've been doing it since under 8 or under 10. I've been lucky enough to be part of a very well organised, well run club with huge talent coming through. We got great coaching throughout the years, we've great facilities here.
Kieran Fitzgerald and Ray Magee during the 2001 All Ireland SFC Final.
“I've always got huge support from home and family, all these things come together. There is a good mix of young guys coming through with older lads. Dr Crokes I'm sure are the exact same. Personally for myself I'm really enjoying it, I'm coming to the latter years of my career. Hopefully there will be one more Indian Summer left.”
For the past two decades Corofin have been the crafty and classy standard bearers in Galway with Fitzgerald an integral part of their success story.
“The players are well looked after here, there is no doubt about it,” Fitzgerald comments about the solid structures that have been established in the dominant north Galway club.
“From a coaching point of view to the way we are treated after training, plus it is all we know. We love playing football, this is a very good, well organised and run club.
“It is well ran through the schools with huge voluntary work being done. Players get involved, it is a combination of a load of those things. You have to have the appetite to play football as well.
“We are lucky that the young guys are coming through. We are adding one or two to the panel every year which helps. We aren't going to be at the top always, we are enjoying this moment in the sun.
“Other teams will come again and will probably take our mantle, but for now we are really enjoying it. We hope to do Galway proud on Saturday against a huge traditional power, who are littered with brilliant footballers and All Ireland winners.”
