Within one year, the new Killarney stadium was to host the All-Ireland Hurling Final between Tipperary and Kilkenny due to the unavailability of Croke Park because of the construction of the first Cusack Stand.

The capacity of the ground was severely tested in 1950 when the stadium, unusually, hosted the Munster hurling final between Cork and Tipperary, when an estimated crowd of 50,000 turned up and in the closing stages large numbers of Cork supporters encroached on the pitch, making life difficult for Tipperary goalkeeper, Tony Reddan.

The claustrophobic atmosphere prompted ace Tipperary defender John Doyle to remark that it was the first time he hurled in the midst of about 5,000.

This stadium is regarded as one of the finest outside of Croke Park, situated under the gaze of the picturesque Kerry mountains.

On 15 November 2016, Fitzgerald Stadium was announced as one of 12 possible venues in Ireland to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.