CORK GAA has paid tribute to Ger Fitzgerald and his “devoted service” to the county.
Fitzgerald, 60, died on Tuesday following a battle with illness, prompting tributes across the board.
A beloved figure on the pitch, the Midleton man won two All-Ireland hurling titles with the Rebels in 1986 and 1990.
He captained Cork to Munster senior championship success in 1992 and went on to serve the county as U21 hurling manager and also as a senior hurling selector.
The county said: “Cork GAA wish to be associated with the many tributes being paid to Ger Fitzgerald, former Midleton and Cork hurler, following the sad news of his passing.
“The sympathy of Cork GAA and the wider GAA community is extended to Ger’s family, to Midleton GAA and to his colleagues from the Cork teams that he played on and mentored with such distinction.
“Suaimhneas síoraí dó.”
Fitzgerald was similarly distinguished at club level, winning four Cork SHC titles with Midleton in 1983, 1986, 1987, and 1991.
The peak of this period was in 1987 when the club also won an All-Ireland title.
He went on to serve in both coaching and administration roles, and was manager when Midleton defeated Glen Rovers to win the Cork SHC in 2021.
The club said: “Midleton GAA club are extremely saddened to hear that our great friend and colleague Ger Fitzgerald passed away after a brave battle with illness.
“Ger was Midleton to the core, a great leader, on and off the field and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Kathryn, his 3 daughters Laura, Kim, Jayne his mother Liz, father Paddy, son in law Andrew and the extended Fitzgerald and O’Shea families.
“Ger played in, captained and managed Midleton teams to county titles as well as acting as a selector on various Cork teams.
“His contribution to our club is immense and will be sustained for many years to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Fitzgerald will repose at Hyde’s Funeral Home in Midleton on Thursday, March 20.
Funeral mass will take place at the Church of the Most Holy Rosary on Friday, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The captain of the 1990 All-Ireland winning Cork team, Tomas Mulcahy, led the heartbreaking tributes in honour of his former teammate.
He said: “Very sad news to hear this morning that our colleague and former hurling star Ger Fitzgerald has passed away
“What a sad loss to his family and all the Cork Gaa community
“May you rest in peace Ger”
He followed this up with a team photo from the 1986 team, saying: “It’s only when something sad happens do we really understand what guys have done and achieved.
“He loved his club and colleagues so much.”
