Born in Knockraha, County Cork, Fitzgerald attended Christian Brothers College, Cork and won a Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup during the 1970s. During an 18-year playing career in rugby union, Fitzgerald played in the front-row for University College Cork R.F.C. and Cork Constitution. In a 19-year coaching career, Fitzgerald coached Christian Brothers College to five Munster Schools Senior Cups, as well as working with Irish Universities, Munster under-20s and UCC. Perhaps his most famous achievement as a coach came in 1992, when he coached Munster to a 22–19 victory against then-world champions Australia in Musgrave Park.