Corofin’s Kieran Fitzgerald has called time on his football
career following an incredible era that has scanned four decades.
The 39-year-old was a County Minor Winner with his club in
1997 when they beat Salthill/Knocknacarra in the County Final and went on to
win fourteen county senior titles, seven Connacht club titles and four
All-Ireland crowns between 2015 and earlier this year when they beat Kilcoo by 1-12
to 0-7 after extra time. Making history with Corofin becoming the first club to
ever achieve three in a row of All-Ireland Club Titles.
2001 was probably Kieran’s best on an inter county front as
he was corner back on the Galway team that beat Meath by 0-17 to 0-8 win the
All-Ireland Senior Football Title. He also won an All-Star that year.
In an exclusive statement to The Tuam Herald, Fitzgerald said: “It’s hard to put into words the enjoyment and satisfaction I have experienced while playing the sport I love for over 30 years. “It was an absolute honour to play for Corofin GAA Club and for Galway. Although we had ups and downs, I loved it and if I could do it all again - I would!
“I am continually
overwhelmed and humbled by the support and goodwill I have received down
through the years from all corners of the GAA community both in good times and
bad.
“I want to thank all the great coaches I have had the
pleasure to work with over the years, who guided me, mentored me and encouraged
me to push myself to reach my potential. One man in particular stands out,
Frank Morris. From my first days at U8s in Rusheens right up to the present
day, Frank has left an indelible mark on me, both on and off the field. His
legacy will live forever in Corofin GAA.
“I also want to thank Kevin O’Brien and his management
team, who worked so tirelessly and selflessly over the last number of years in
facilitating us to fulfil our dreams of achieving the ultimate in club
football. Also, the officers at Corofin GAA, led by chairman, Michael Ryder,
who have always looked after us so well.
“I want to thank our medical team, David Hanly and his
team at Galway Sports Medicine, our team doctor Mark Heneghan and Dr Éanna
Falvey at SSC – who undoubtedly prolonged my career longer than I could have
ever imagined.
“I want to thank my wife Emer, my parents and my family
who have all travelled this bumpy road with me along the way. They have always
picked me up after so many lows and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude. I am
just so happy we could all share and experience some really great days also.
“To my teammates, the memories of standing arm-in-arm in
the warm-up area underneath the Hogan Stand, with a feeling of total
contentment and togetherness, after achieving our ultimate goals will be my
most abiding memory and they are the ones I will miss the most.
“Finally, the GAA
is my identity and it’s embedded in my DNA. I look forward to repaying the
faith that Corofin GAA Club invested in me over the years, and in whatever way
I can assist the next generation in making their dreams become a reality too, I
will.”
