Billy Fitz’ joins ‘Hall of Fame’

LEGEND?Billy Fitzpatrick

Billy Fitz’ joins ‘Hall of Fame’


Hall of fame
Mike Finnerty

ONE of the most recognisable faces and voices in the GAA, Billy Fitzpatrick, will join The Mayo News/O’Neills Club Stars ‘Hall of Fame’ next month.
The 69 year-old Garrymore native was selected for the prestigious accolade by the Club Stars judging panel because of his lifelong service and commitment to the GAA as a player and a coach at club and county level, and his promotion of Gaelic Games on Mid West Radio over the last 25 years.
Billy Fitz’ (as he is affectionately known) will be presented with the award on Saturday, December 13 at the charity fund-raising event in Knockranny House Hotel, Westport.
All proceeds from this year’s event are being donated to Pieta House West in Tuam, a centre for the prevention of self-harm and suicide.
Billy Fitzpatrick won six Mayo senior football championship medals during an illustrious career with Garrymore (1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1982), and also won a Connacht Club medal with the South Mayo club in 1981.
He also represented Mayo with distinction for many years, winning a Connacht SFC medal in 1985 at the age of 41 when he was a player/selector.
He became the oldest player to score in an All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park in August, 1985 when he came off the bench to kick a point into Hill 16 against Dublin in their epic drawn encounter.
Billy Fitz’ went into club management after his playing career ended, and was also the manager of the Mayo junior football team for more than 20 years, leading them to All-Ireland titles in 1995 and 1997.
His voice has become synonymous with Mayo GAA since the formation of Mid West Radio in 1989, as Billy has been working with them as a co-commentator and analyst ever since.
He lives in Claremorris, and is married to Catherine, a native of Milltown, Co Galway. They have four children, Brendan, Orla, Sinead and Niamh.
The Club Stars Team of the Year — and five replacements — will be revealed on the night, as well as the ‘Players of the Year’ in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Championships respectively. The ‘Young Player of the Year’, ‘Personality of the Year’, ‘Hurling Recognition Award’ and Special Achievement award winners will also be honoured for their endeavours.

Ballintubber duo named top bosses
MEANWHILE, Ballintubber joint managers Peter Ford and Tony Duffy, have been selected as the joint winners of this year’s ‘Manager of the Year’ accolade.
Ford and Duffy were chosen for his outstanding achievement in leading Ballintubber to their first Moclair Cup success since 2011, as they and their management team of Jim Twohig, Jim O’Toole, Ger Brady and Ruaidhri Hallinan masterminded a famous victory.
“To come back and win a county title a year after losing a quarter-final so comprehensively is no mean achievement,” commented John Casey, a member of the Club Stars judging panel.
“Peter and Tony obviously played a major role in turning Ballintubber’s fortunes around in 2014 and the team’s results speak for themselves. They are worthy winners.”