Fitzpatrick, Georgie
February 28, 2009
The late Georgie Fitzpatrick
While the football field in Cooraclare blinked under unseasonal sunlight last Saturday, a distinct pall of disbelief and sadness adorned the ground.
Most of the 500 or so Clare football supporters at the Clare v Sligo game would have known Georgie Fitzpatrick personally. Some would have played football with or against the Kilkee man, while many more would have seen Georgie play football for Kilkee or Clare.
Across the county Clare FM listeners heard Georgie commentating and analysing on Clare or club football matches.
His death last Friday truly stunned everyone that knew him, leaving his many friends in Clare and Limerick deeply saddened. The high point of his exploits on the football and hurling field with Kilkee, Clare, Monaleen, Parnells in Dublin, Corofin and St Flannan's were the two senior championship medals he won with Kilkee.
In an interview with The Clare Champion on May 23, 2008 Georgie spoke about his love for Clare football and the enjoyment he wrought from broadcasting on Clare FM.
"People have often said to me 'Georgie, you love talking about football' and indeed I do," he said at the time.
"We were brought up in West Clare. The two us, myself and the brother Jimmy, are both absolute fanatics and love the game. I'm sure if I was born and bred in East Clare, i'd be a hurling man. But I nail my colour to the mast and there's nothing I'd like better than to see Clare being successful," he reflected.
With regard to his commentating role, Georgie said that he tried to keep it simple and not forget that listeners must be constantly made aware of the basic facts.
"You've to be very conscious of the fact that they don't have pictures in front of them. Let them know what the score is, how much time is gone and where, in relation to position on the field, the ball is and who's playing well.
"It's a difficult enough job and you'd certainly be drained after it. But I'm fortunate in the sense that I was a long time in analysis, starting back with the great Matthew McMahon in the early 1990s," he added.
Whether he was on duty with the local radio station or commentating on match videos for Joe Fenwick, Georgie knew every dugout and perch at virtually every football ground in Clare.
His football links aside though he'll be remembered even more fondly for his devotion to his family, his teaching career, his humour, friendship and down-to-earth approach to life.
It was a privilege to have known you Georgie. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
- Clare Champion, February 2009
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