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DES FITZGERALD

After leaving De La Salle College, Churchtown Des came to Trinity and was awarded 3 Colours ( 1978/’81). He was tight head prop for the Ireland team from 1984 to 1992, winning 34 caps, after making his debut in February 1984 against England. Having missed out on the Triple Crown success in 1985 he returned to the side against the Welsh the following year and later in 1986 played for the Lions against a Rest of the World XV in a special match to celebrate the centenary of the International Board. He played in 15 of the 16 internationals from ’86 until the game against England in 1988 when losing out to friend and rival Jim McCoy. He was out of the side until replacing the injured Nick Popplewell against New Zealand and went on to play 14 of the next 15 internationals before illness interrupted. Just one cap followed, marking his appearance as a replacement against Scotland in 1992. He played in two Rugby World Cups: 1987 and 1991.

He represented Leinster at senior interprovincial level for several years and toured with Ireland to South Africa (’81), Japan (’85), New Zealand & Australia (’87) and to Namibia (’91).

From D.U.F.C., his club career embraced Lansdowne (where he won 3 Leinster Senior Cup medals and 3 Leinster Senior League medals), DLSP and Cork Constitution.

Des was also both an excellent GAA football player ( he won a schools final while playing for De La Salle Rathfarnham National School in Croke Park in 1968) and an Irish Universities heavyweight boxing champion.

He is the father of Irish International rugby player Luke Fitzgerald.