It is going to be an anxious wait in the Fitzgerald household in Dublin this weekend as one of Ireland’s most famous rugby families waits to see if Leinster’s Luke is named in the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour party.
The 21-year-old wing-cum-centre is still basking in the glory of helping Ireland clinch their first Grand Slam in 61 years – as well as guiding Leinster into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup.
With 12 caps already in his locker, the young Fitzgerald is well on his way to catching up his father, Des, who won 34 caps as a prop.
Des also had the distinction of playing for the Lions in their 1986 clash with a Rest of the World XV at the National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park. The game was one of the highlights of the centenary celebrations of the IRB.
Can father follow son into the famous red jersey of the Lions? All will be revealed at lunchtime on Tuesday when Ian McGeechan names his tour party for South Africa.
In the meantime, Dublin University are honouring their British & Irish Lions at a special ceremony prior to their final AIB League match against Lansdowne on Saturday.
Both Fitzgeralds attended the University, as did current Ireland No 8 Jamie Heaslip, who will be presenting awards to the University’s famous Lions alumni.
Rugby has been played in College Park by Dublin University Football Club since 1854, firmly establishing it as the oldest continuously playing rugby club in the world. Down the years the club has nurtured many great players and seven of them who went on to become Lions will be at their game this weekend.
Robin Roe was a hooker with the 1955 Lions, while Welsh international Mike Roberts played on the 1971 tour to New Zealand. Record breaking prop Phil Orr toured New Zealand in 1977 and South Africa in 1980, while scrum half John Robbie was also on that 1980 trip.
Hugo MacNeil was a Test full back in New Zealand in 1983, Fitzgerald made his Lions appearance on ‘home’ soil in Cardiff in 1986, while Brendan Mullin was a Test centre in 1989 in Australia.
