He’s as proud as anyone could possibly be to lead Éire Óg out in Sunday’s county final but Aaron Fitzgerald is the first to admit that he wasn’t always captain material. Indeed, despite having the unique recent distinction of representing Clare at senior level in both hurling and football over the past five seasons, amazingly the Ennis native was a late convert to committing to gaelic games.
“I was probably 20 or 21 before I really knuckled down to playing senior for Éire Óg and I must have been 26 or 27 when I finally went into the senior football set-up. Colm Collins had been asking me previously but my commitments levels weren’t there and it was only really when I got stuck into the GAA and my whole life revolved around it by then that I really felt ready to throw my hat into the inter-county ring.
“I said to myself if I don’t give this a go, I’d regret it and immediately I loved it. I loved the discipline, the lifestyle and to be honest I kind of needed it as well. Just the way my brain ticks, It just all suited me and worked perfectly for me.”
So how did you manage to switch to the hurling set-up?
“Well there were a few factors really. Having been on the football panel for two years. I destroyed my knee against the ‘Bridge in the Park in 2018 and I was in bed for four months and off work for elven months but eventually came back from that and got right back into it.
“I actually got called into the hurling while I was still on the football panel and initially I said no because I had committed to the football panel.
“As soon as we got knocked out of the football, Brian Lohan got onto me again and I said I wouldn’t join straight away, that I’d take the rest of the summer off and think about it.
“The second factor and probably the most important was that my grandfather Jack Heaslip who only died last year was a massive hurling man. I mean his brother captained Kilkenny to two All-Ireland’s so if it was a thing that would make him proud, I was going for it.
“So I threw my hat at it but with my line of work and with the competition around the county, It didn’t completely work out for me I’d say, I played a couple of championship games and stuff but it’s probably something I’ll look back on when I’m older.
“I mean I only gave it up last year so I haven’t really thought too much about it to be honest.
“To be honest, I haven’t regretted my decision or anything like that even after watching the win an All-Ireland as I was absolutely delighted for the guys to finally get over the line.”
Fitzgerald’s prestigious inter-county exploits coincided with a surge in Éire Óg fortunes too as the footballers have won two of the last three senior titles while the hurlers were within touching distance of completing a remarkable double in 2022.
However, having only played in one senior decider (2014) up to their football breakthrough in 2021, the captain appreciates every final to its optimum.
“After the 2014 final I think we went a further six years and a quarter-final was as far as we got. There was like there was a hoodoo over us and even Paul [Madden] says it to the younger lads sometimes in the dressing room now that ‘lads you don’t know how lucky ye are’.
“I’d be looking at their faces and you can see that some of them are thinking ‘what’s he talking about?’ But the reality is that after 2014, it took us seven years to get back to a final and I think that makes you appreciate the good days when they do come because we know only too well that these days don’t last forever.
“We took our chance in 2021 and it just took off from there really. If I can remember rightly we only conceded our first goal in the championship in three years last year so it’s great to jump on a winning wave but you have to keep your head down and your feet grounded or else you’ll get a wake-up call fairly lively like we did last year.”
That unceremonious penalty exit at the semi-final stage to Cratloe still cuts deep but it has sharpened the appetite for this year according to Fitzgerald.
“It makes it more heartbreaking when you lose your title in the process so this year we’ve had a point to prove as much to ourselves as anyone else.
“All year we’ve been concentrated in performance more than anything else and work-rate too. There’s a hunger there and a want and there’s fierce competition for places too as the reality is that if you’re not performing on the day, Paul is going to give you the curly finger to come off as there’s someone eager and ready to take your spot.
“That competition can only be good to maintain standards so we’re really enjoying it at the moment.
“However, we also know what is in front of us on Sunday. After all Kilmurry Ibrickane have been the standard-bearers in the county for so, so long. Since I’ve started playing, they have been the team to beat and there’s some year that they go in under the radar which I think is ridiculous because they’ve quality all over the field and there’s going to be a great battle on Sunday and hopefully it’s whoever wants it more gets it.”
So will it make it extra special that you’re captain on Sunday?
“To be honest, I was asked the same question after we won against Ennistymon in the semi-final and I just realised that I hadn’t really thought about it too much. I think I just had tunnel vision trying to get us back to a final but It is a huge honour for me and my family.
“I’ve two young lads at home and all they want to do is come and see me play and it’s going to be a great honour leading the boys behind the Tulla Pipe Band and hopefully I’ll have my two young lads standing beside me as well so I couldn’t ask for anymore really.”