Jack was one of six brothers who played in the League of Ireland for the Blues - Denny, Tom, Ned, Peter Fitzgerald (footballer) and Paul were the others.
His tall, blond figure bursting through defences was a thrilling sight and if he lacked a little ball control he more than made up for it with his willingness to chase everything, making life difficult for his markers.
The following season Jack's partnership with the ill-starred Scot Jimmy Gauld, who was later to be jailed for the 1964 match-fixing scandal in England, caught the public's imagination and set attendance records around the country.
This brought Jack back into the limelight and he scored the winning goal against Netherlands national football team in Dalymount Park,[1] which seemed to presage a lengthy international career.
That didn't stop Sunderland pursuing him, the chairman even visiting him in hospital seeking his signature and inviting Jack and his wife over to do some house-hunting.
Despite being such crowd-pleasers, that Waterford team just missed out on the honours, twice being pipped for the League title and losing the 1959 FAI Cup final to St Patrick's Athletic after a replay.