Mr GAA is mourned

Mr GAA is mourned

17 October 2012

TRIBUTES have been paid to Matt Fitzpatrick, the Down Recorder’s esteemed GAA correspondent for nearly 40 years, who has died.

Matt passed away in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, on Monday night. He was 83.

Matt was the doyen of GAA writers and a familiar presence at grounds throughout Down and far beyond, whether in the press box or on the sideline with notebook in hand.

He was committed to the GAA, which he regarded almost as a second family. As a player, coach, administrator and, at times, impartial observer, the Association could not have had a finer servant. For many people, especially his readers in the Recorder, he was ‘Mr. GAA.’

Matt enjoyed all sports, but for him there was nothing to touch gaelic football and hurling. Every once in a while, especially after a particularly memorable game, he would declare them to be the finest field sports in the world.

He played inter county football for his native Fermanagh and also lined out for Queen’s University before beginning an association with his adopted county Down which was to last for well over half a century.

After hanging up his boots he became a manager and for a time was in charge of the Down minor football team. He managed the senior team at St. John’s GAC, Drumnaquoile, in the 1970s and also kept a keen eye on the affairs of Carryduff GAC.

As an administrator he was treasurer of the East Down GAA Board for more than 30 years and also served on the County Board.

Matt also found his way into the world of journalism. He was a civil servant by occupation, but he was really a sports reporter at heart and single-handedly he greatly increased the Recorder’s GAA coverage.

It was said of him that he would travel the length and breadth of Ireland to cover a game of football or hurling. In fact, he did so many times. His love of gaelic games also took him much further afield — to America and later Australia for the International Rules Series.

He would sit up late on Sunday night ringing around the clubs to get the reports, then bash out his copy on an old typewriter before driving to the Recorder office in Downpatrick so his reports would be ready for setting first thing on Monday morning.

In later years he progressed to a word processor and his output became even more prodigious. His ‘Matt’s Chat’ column became required reading as he delved into the inner sanctums of the GAA and produced fascinating titbits. On one memorable occasion when he was walking along Fifth Avenue in New York a group of Down supporters started chanting “Matt’s Chat, Matt’s Chat.” He never tired to telling the story.

He prided himself on never missing a deadline, even when the printers were screaming and the presses were getting to roll. Like the seasoned pro that he was, he would dictate his story by telephone, ignoring the pressure he may have been under.

Matt was a committed to the GAA, but he could also be critical. There were issues which aroused his ire — congested fixture lists and over officious gatemen being just two of them — but he was quickly soothed by the welcome cup of half time tea which he enjoyed in the press box and greatly appreciated.

Matt wrote for a number of other newspapers, including the Irish News. He was a leading member of the Ulster GAA Writers’ Association and had been attending a function in Bundoran just before he took ill.

As a tribute to Matt’s memory, a minute’s silence will be observed before the start of this Sunday’s Senior Football Championship final at Pairc Esler in Newry.

Matt was predeceased by his wife Rose 14 years ago. He is survived by his children, Claire, Nuala, Martin and Colette, brothers Aidan and Dick, and sisters Philomena and Pauline.

Down county chairman Seamus Walsh described Matt as a “wonderful ambassador” for the GAA who would be sadly missed.

“It was my privilege to know Matt for many years. I served with him on the East Down Board and nothing was a bother to him. He kept a tight eye on the finances and made sure that every penny was accounted for,” Mr. Walsh said.

“He reported on many, many games, including games involving schools that no-one else would have covered. He was all over the country and outside it. He was a great servant of the GAA in Down.

“I would like to express my condolences to his family at this very sad time.”

Down County secretary Sean Og McAteer described Matt as a “great man.”

“People talk about legends, but Matt Fitzpatrick was a true legend in his own right and we will certainly miss him,” Mr. McAteer said.

“Matt was a Fermanagh man, but he became an adopted Down man. He was a manager, administrator and spreader of all that is good about the GAA in Down. Wherever Down were playing football or hurling, Matt would be there reporting on all the action.

“Matt did a lot of unseen work and not many people today would realise that he was once a county minor manager, or that he was involved in the revival of the St. John’s club. He would do anything if he felt he could help.”

Mr. McAteer said this Sunday’s tribute in Newry would be “nothing more than Matt deserved.”

East Down Board chairman Sean McCashin said: “It is with deep regret that I learned of the passing of Matt late on Monday evening. As an esteemed member of the East Down Board and respected journalist Matt had a love of gaelic games and he will be sorely missed by many connected with the GAA both in Down and further afield.

“As a personal friend I enjoyed many a game and function with Matt and witnessed at first hand his great wit and wisdom on many occasions.

“It goes without saying that he will be a tremendous loss to the GAA, especially to the East Down Board, the hurling and schools fraternity, and to the wider gaelic family.

“Matt was always a great help to the younger members of the East Down Board and I am indebted to him for the help he gave to me over the years.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his family at this sad time.