Former Galway intercounty footballer Kieran Fitzgerald was the focus of this week's Laochra Gael on TG4, and the episode drew an outpouring of emotion online.
Fitzgerald's girlfriend Mairéad Meehan passed away due to osteosarcoma in 2007. The tragic loss of Mairéad at such a young age had a massive effect on Fitzgerald, who said he struggled for years after her passing.
Speaking on this week's episode of Laochra Gael, Fitzgerald said:
I found time by myself was really tough. I found it really hard to come to terms with how somebody could be there one minute, and gone the next. The finality of that, I struggled with for years.
I wasn't mentally prepared or ready or able to play football. I was afraid to let that go, I was afraid to step away from football because I was afraid of being alone really, to be honest with you.
I struggled with form during the following years. It compounded my sense of sadness.
Fitzgerald ultimately made the decision to step away from intercounty football in 2011. He said that the decision to step away felt like a weight off his shoulders, and he would go on to see great success with his club Corofin.
Corofin claimed the All-Ireland senior club championship in 2015, and then a three-in-a-row between 2018 and 2020. The 2020 final went to extra-time against Kilcoo, with a 39-year-old Fitzgerald incredibly playing every minute of the decider.
Laochra Gael: Huge reaction to emotional Kieran Fitzgerald episode
Kieran Fitzgerald's Laochra Gael episode aired on Thursday night, and garnered a brilliant reaction on social media.
Anocht Kieran Fitzgerald ar #LaochraGael
🤩🤩@corofinabu1 ar @TG4TV 9:30pm!@CorofinGAA @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/jX3dXXckp6— Laochra Gael (@Laochra_Gael) February 10, 2022
The episode took a close look at the 2001 All-Ireland intercounty win that Fitzgerald played a crucial role in (winning an All Star), the tragedy of Mairéad Meehan's passing, and the important role Corofin and the game of football played in his grieving process.
Fitzgerald's heart-wrenching and bittersweet story brought emotional reactions on Twitter, as fans connected with the tragic story of Fitzgerald's personal life, as well as the triumphs he enjoyed in Galway and Corofin jerseys throughout his career.
Heartbreaking thinking about Mairead Meehan. Never knew her that well but being in the same school got to know her positive, bubbly, personality. Can't believe it's been so long since she passed. #laochraGael.
— Paraic Collins (@ParaicCollins) February 10, 2022
It was in the height of lockdown and he knew GAA content to fill a paper wasn’t easily found. He chose to support the local paper and showed that, even in his retirement, he was thinking of how he could do something good for others. Will always be thankful to one of the greats👏
— David Connors (@peterswellman) February 10, 2022
Kieran Fitzgerald. A lovely guy and a legend. #LaochraGael #TG4
— Seamus Duke (@SeamusDuke) February 10, 2022
Fear uasal ionraic...#LaochraGael
— Ciarán Houlihan (@Ciaranhoul) February 10, 2022
“Embrace the memories.
Take it all in.
Spend time with family & friends.”
Kieran Fitzgerald #LaochraGael pic.twitter.com/0PAprXPu1r— Justin McNulty (@JustinMcNu1ty) February 10, 2022
One of the GAA’s finest #laochraGael @TG4TV @SportTG4 https://t.co/5rglioaLvI
— Orla Kennedy (@OrlaK91) February 10, 2022
Deacair gan deora a chaoine ag breathnú ar #LaochraGael anocht
💜🤍 Fitzy 💛💚 https://t.co/cjyYWDKyfq— Cárthach Bán Breathnach (@cartyban) February 10, 2022
Crying for the 4th time now #laochragael
— Brighid Breathnach (@BrighidBB) February 10, 2022
This episode of Laochra 😢 Kieran Fitz coming across as an absolute gentleman. He deserves happiness. #LaochraGael
— Eleanor Burke 🇺🇦 (@elbur1) February 10, 2022
Kieran Fitzgerald looks like a top top class fella #laochragael
— Fran Heavey (@franheavey81) February 10, 2022
A true gael. And a true gent. 🟢🟡
Its fair to say, that Kieran Fitzgerald is one a the good dogs out there. 👌👏#LaochraGael@corofinabu1 @CorofinGAA @Laochra_Gael @Galway_GAA— Ronan Kenny (@RonanKenny10) February 10, 2022
Another special #LaochraGael. Beautifully done @SportTG4 and @nemetontv
— Kieran McSweeney (@SuibhneGeilt1) February 10, 2022
Clár den chéad scoth ab ea é sin arís ó @SportTG4 #LaochraGael
— Ciarán Ó Deoráin (@ciaranpadoran) February 10, 2022
Is there any way of just giving TG4 all the tv license money in order to have a new episode of #LaochraGael every week. It’s the best show on television bar none.
— Daniel Murphy (@DanielM1222) February 10, 2022
#tg4 #laochragael #kieranfitzgerald simply beautiful , emotional, brings memories flooding back. Proud to be from Galway and be a gaa lover. Such a gentleman.
— Joseph Ruane (@Irishjoey1) February 10, 2022
Another brilliant episode of #LaochraGael on @SportTG4 👏 The production and the human element just make it an amazing watch every week as it's both emotional and uplifting! Kieran Fitzgerald enjoyed a great career with club and county, but had plenty of tough days too
— Morgan O'Callaghan (@MorgantheBriar) February 10, 2022
Bhí sé sin go hiontach, arís @TG4TV Maith sibh 👏🏼👏🏼#LaochraGael
— S Mag E (@doiregael) February 10, 2022
This was a fantastic watch tonight, just had everything, top guy Kieran Fitzgerald on and off the field 👏🏻 #LaochraGael https://t.co/b60sAJN0pT
— thegreenanwhite (@JimGreenan) February 10, 2022
Kieran Fitzgerald is everything that is wonderful about the GAA and an absolute gentleman. Very fitting of a #laochragael
— flor gilmore (@flomeo) February 10, 2022
#tg4 #laochragael #kieranfitzgerald simply beautiful , emotional, brings memories flooding back. Proud to be from Galway and be a gaa lover. Such a gentleman.
— Joseph Ruane (@Irishjoey1) February 10, 2022
Will we ever get times like that again? #galwaygaa #laochragael
— Tomás Keating (@MossBoxx) February 10, 2022
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