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Stephen Fitzgerald (rugby union)

Stephen Fitzgerald (born 13 November 1995) is an Irish former rugby union player, who played for his native province Munster and Connacht during his career. Fitzgerald played primarily as a fullback, but could also play on either wing, and represented Shannon in the All-Ireland League.

Stephen Fitzgerald
Date of birth (1995-11-13) 13 November 1995 (age 29)
Place of birthArdnacrusha, Ireland
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight92 kg (14.5 st; 203 lb)
SchoolArdscoil Rís
UniversityUniversity of Limerick
Notable relative(s)Conor Fitzgerald (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Shannon ()
2017 Bond University 1 (0)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2019 Munster 7 (10)
2018–2019 → Connacht (loan) 7 (5)
2019–2021 Connacht 8 (5)
Correct as of 5 June 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Ireland U20 8 (25)
Correct as of 21 June 2015

Early life

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Born in Ardnacrusha, County Clare, Fitzgerald first began playing rugby aged 7 with Shannon. He attended Ardscoil Rís, Limerick and lost finals at both Junior and Senior Cup level with the school. He represented Munster in all under-age grades, as well as playing Under-19s and Under-20s with Ireland.[1]

Professional career

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Munster

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Fitzgerald made his debut for Munster on 13 September 2015, starting in the second game of the 2015–16 Pro12 against Ospreys and scoring a try.[2] On 1 June 2017, it was announced that Fitzgerald had been promoted to the senior Munster squad ahead of the 2017–18 season.[3] He signed a one-year development contract extension with Munster in February 2018.[4]

Bond University

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Having been injured for much of the 2016–17 season, Fitzgerald and then-fellow Munster Academy teammate JP Phelan played for Australian side Bond University Rugby Club in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.[5] He made one appearance for the side, in round 10 against Sunnybank, but injured his hand and returned home soon after.[citation needed]

Connacht

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Fitzgerald joined Irish province Connacht, where his younger brother Conor was an academy player at the time, on a three-month loan deal in December 2018.[6] He made his debut for Connacht in their 21–12 win against Ulster in round 12 of the 2018–19 Pro14 on 28 December 2018, replacing Kyle Godwin in the 63rd minute. Fitzgerald's loan was extended until the end of the 2018–19 season in March 2019.[7] Fitzgerald joined Connacht permanently for the 2019–20 season.[8]

Retirement

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A knee injury sustained in Connacht's fixture against Leinster in January 2020, for which Fitzgerald underwent three surgeries, forced Fitzgerald to retire from playing rugby at the end of the 2020–21 season.[9]

Ireland

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Fitzgerald made his debut for Ireland Under-20s on 13 February 2015, starting against France Under-20s in the 2015 U20 Six Nations and scoring a try.[10] He also represented Ireland Under-20s at the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, scoring two tries against Scotland Under-20s on 20 June 2015.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "The Future is Bright: Stephen Fitzgerald (2nd year academy)". Irish Independent. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Munster Just Shade It In Swansea". Munster Rugby. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Five Academy Players Promoted to Senior Ranks". Munster Rugby. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Conway and Fitzgerald Sign Up". Munster Rugby. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Munster rugby academy players Stephen Fitzgerald and JP Phelan to help Bond University". Gold Coast Bulletin. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Squad Update | Pre-Leinster". Munster Rugby. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Sherry Signs Loan Deal With Gloucester". Munster Rugby. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Daly, Fitzgerald and Lloyd the latest to sign Connacht contracts". Connacht Rugby. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  9. ^ "'Heartbroken' Connacht back Stephen Fitzgerald forced to retire at 25". The42. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Ireland Under-20s Show Class To Defeat Defending Champions". Irish Rugby. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  11. ^ "Fitzgerald Bags Brace As Ireland Under-20s Finish Seventh". Munster Rugby. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
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