The late Dan Fitzgerald Kiskeam bade a very heartfelt and teary farewell to Dan Fitzgerald of The Glen who was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. On Saturday week in Kiskeam, as a cold breeze cut through the small village, the packed Church of the Sacred Heart, Kiskeam, saw hundreds of people turn out to offer support and condolence to his loving wife, Breeda, and proud sons Daniel and Diarmuid. Anyone who was lucky enough to have even had a minute in Dan's company would walk away with a smile on their face as he could tell a story and recall a football game with such accuracy that he would even give GAA pundit Bill O'Herlihy a run for his money. It was, moreover, as they saying goes, the way he could tell the story which often clung in people's memory long after a football game had finished. His friend and neighbour Tom Dennehy gave a very moving homily at his funeral mass and it meant that the people of Duhallow and beyond, who had the privilege of knowing Dan, got a further glimpse of a man who was sincere, hardworking and a very genuine friend. As said, he was a true GAA man and he was a loyal and committed family man. Anyone who met Dan knew how proud he was of Daniel and Diarmuid and there was always a leap in his step when watching his sons' achievements on the football field. On the Monday prior to his death, when he was in a very weak state, he had a request - get The Irish Examiner - where he soaked up the report on the All Ireland Vocational Schools semi-final, in which his son Daniel played centre forward in the Cork versus Monaghan game. It was a very proud moment for the family and it brought a great sense of happiness to Dan. His family must have felt very proud at Dan, who had 40 years of unbroken service to the GAA in Kiskeam. As a player he began his career with a county senior football title with the tech in Kiskeam and went on at an early age to play and excel at wing back for the local junior team to form an unbeatable half back line along with Sean Cronin and the late Peter Daly. One great moment for Dan was winning the Examiner Cup in 1971 and 1972. As a player he was versatile and in the 1976 Examiner Cup he was moved to centre forward, from centre back to bolster the attack. It was a cute move, as it ensured that Dan scored three goals and Kiskeam snatched the Examiner Cup title by defeating neighbours Ballydesmond. While there are great stories told of Dan on the pitch, he showed true community spirit off the pitch and he played an integral role in the opening of the pitch in 1975 and this was following on five years later with the opening of the community centre. He was also chairman and trainer of the Juvenile club for many years and no matter what the wether conditions or what time training was on, any player could have bet their weeks pay packet that not only was Dan there for training but he would be the first through the gates. As a trainer he possessed the great combination of traits of being tough, fair and above all he lavished encouragement on young football players. When it came to fund-raising he was, to put it mildly, in his element and people made their way to Dan to buy their weekly lotto tickets of him. As for race nights, Dan had the horses sold well in advance of any race taking off. It was recalled at his funeral that, when a car was raffled by the club in Kiskeam last year, Dan sold 1,200 tickets at 20euro each. It was an incredible amount of money to raise for his club, but Dan wouldn't have looked at it in a boastful manner. He would have sold each ticket on the basis that it would have made the club in Kiskeam stronger and better. He worked at Munster Joinery for 22 years and he was known as reliable and honest, and very well liked. As said at his moving funeral mass, he was great company, very light hearted, had a lively wit and he had a litany of old sayings which fitted every occasion. Whenever a hooley was in full flow in The Shamrock's he would take to the floor and give a rendition of the 'Youths of Kiskeam', when those present would hush and listen to Dan, who would often put his own special touch to the lively banter. It must also be noted that the way Dan bore his illness was a tribute to him. Throughout his illness he held a great belief in Padre Pio. When Dan was asked why he put such faith in Padre Pio, he said, like a young fellow following Manchester United, he followed a man of his times. His loving wife Breeda and his two sons Daniel and Diarmuid must also take pride at the loving manner in which they bestowed upon their father and friend when he truly needed them. He will be greatly missed by them. The community of Kiskeam has lost a great friend and a true stalwart, and perhaps each and every person in Kiskeam should take courage from Dan just as he did for many years when he gave the rallying call before a game. 'Onwards to Glory and Victory.' Ni beidh a leitheid aris ann. Ar dheis De go rabih a anam - Cork Man, 19th March 2009 Tweet

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