27 November 2021
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
The Munster Schools Senior Cup trophy has been named the Garrett Fitzgerald Cup as a fitting tribute and acknowledgement of the former CEO’s contribution to the schools’ game in the province.
Fitzgerald, who passed away in February 2020, was at the helm of Munster Rugby for twenty years and prior to that held numerous coaching roles across schools, club, and representative sides.
Áine O’Donnell and daughter Megan pictured at CBC, Cork City, with the Garrett Fitzgerald Cup. Photo provided by Munster Rugby Press Office, Credit to Eddie O’Hare
As a player he won a Munster Schools Senior Cup with CBC in 1971 and later coached the school to a total of five Munster Senior Cup titles guiding teams during a highly successful period when claiming four successive Senior Cups from 1997 to 2000.
CBC remain the only school to hold this honour having previously achieved the feat in the 1970s.
Garrett’s wife Áine O’Donnell and daughter Megan were on hand last week to attend an honorary event at the school recognising the four-in-a-row success and fittingly the Schools Senior Cup from that period, and the now christened Garrett Fitzgerald Cup, were both on display.
Commenting on the cup recognition, Áine O’Donnell said, “Having this historic cup named after Garrett is a lovely tribute to what he achieved and to remember what the schools’ game, and the grassroots game overall, meant to him.
“He was a huge believer in young people and wanting them to reach their potential. Winning this cup recognises excellence and achieving one’s potential and having Garrett’s name associated with it is a huge honour.”
