Fitzgerald first played rugby in Cardiff for the now defunct club, St. Davids,[2] one of several Welsh teams built around Catholic churches.

Fitzgerald was brought in to replace Conway Rees, and was placed at centre along with the Welsh captain Arthur Gould.

Played on a boggy pitch the Welsh lost by a single penalty goal, Fitzgerald was replaced for the next season by Owen Badger, and never represented Wales again.

Despite not playing for Wales, Fitzgerald still turned out for county team Glamorgan,[5] but in 1895 he severed himself from the union code when he 'Went North', joining Leigh.

[7] Not only was Fitzgerald suspended for almost two years, but Batley was also fined 60 English pounds (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £23,630 in 2015).