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Fitzgerald Stadium
by Patrick Mannix

Last Sunday week saw Kerry win their 167 Munster Senior Football final in the picturesque setting of Fitzgerald Stadium. The 30,000 spectators thoroughly enjoyed their day and the match was another huge success for the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee and Trustees. However this will bring to an end another very busy year for the Committee and was probably the stadium’s most successful year yet. €450,000 had to be obtained after the development of the Stadium in the 1970’s with the erection of the Dr. O’Sullivan stand and pavilion and the purchasing of a new scoreboard only some of the areas covered in this renewal. All of this has raised the capacity of one of the finest Stadium’s in the country to 39,120. This Stadium is regarded as one of the finest outside of Croke Park and is a credit to the work and dedication of the people of Killarney town and the County of Kerry.
Officially opened on the 31st of May 1936 by Dr. O’Brien the then Bishop of Kerry and J.M Harty Archbishop of Cashel, a Patron of the G.A.A, Fitgerald stadium has grown from strength to strength. The attendance at its first match was at least 20,000 but this is refuted by Journalists that were present to have been 28,000. Within 1 year Killarney was to hold its first All-Ireland Hurling Final between the two hurling kingpins of Tipperary and Kilkenny on September 5th 1937 and what a match it was with Tipperary clinching the Liam McCarthy trophy convincingly on a scoreline of 3-11 to 0-3. In recent years attendances to the stadium have been increasing and with such events as the 3 Killarney Summerfest Concerts and the 3 G.A.A Championship matches this year it is only fitting to have them set at this magnificent setting. If you happen to be lucky enough to be present in the Press box on match day the view of all proceedings within the white lines is unparalleled and if the eyes happen to stray beyond the bounds of the Park the majestic scenery for which the area is renowned is simply anchored there in typical nonchalant mood.

Since the foundation of the Summerfest these concerts have generated extra funding for the stadium and have cleared nearly all debts. With the future looking good for the committee they may even take a decision in the near future to expand this “Theatre of Dreams”. What a fitting tribute it would be to one of the first great players of the G.A.A, the late great Dick Fitzgerald. The man whom the stadium is named after, 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.

This great man who laid the foundation for all future generations of footballers in Kerry was born in Killarney in 1884 the year the G.A.A was founded. 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. However it was not until 1903 that ‘Dickeen’, as he was familiarly called, came before the public eye, when Kerry played Kildare 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. 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. In fact Dick Fitzgerald was a member of the County Board, Munster Council and Central Council at the time of his death.

It is an awful shame that this stadium should lie practically idle for nearly a whole year with other great events crying out for great sporting settings. Rule 42 has seemed to have drifted out of the public and media spotlight in recent months but if it was abolished the possibility of such great sporting occasions as a Munster Heineken Cup Rugby game or Irish Rugby game and an Irish International soccer game staged here are very high. These are three very strong possibilities as Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped in the near future and as it is the home of the International Soccer and Rugby teams it would be a shame to see any games being relocated abroad. Munster Fans love the atmosphere in Thomond Park but it would be even better to witness the sight of a sea of red across the Micheal O’Connor terrace. Even if Rule 42 is not changed the venue for this year’s Aussie Rules series has yet to be announced so fingers crossed come October Fitzgerald Stadium will be buzzing again.