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Personal
Fullname: Patrick John Fitzpatrick
aka: Paddy Fitzpatrick Jr; 'Fitz'
Born: 9 January 1980
Birthplace: Wexford
Height: 5' 6" (168cm)
Signed: Pro 7 February 1996
Position: Forward
Internationals: Republic of Ireland U16
International Caps: ?
International Goals: ?
Biog
A bright and lightning-quick forward from Wexford who came through the Boy's club ranks with childhood pal Tim McGrath. The pair's fathers, also Paddy and Tim, had played together for Town Celtic FC in Wexford.
After starring for Wexford District League Taghmon United in 1995/96, Fitzpatrick joined Celtic full time in February 1996 shortly after turning 16. The following month he turned out for the Republic of Ireland U16s alongside fellow Celts McGrath and, controversially at the time, Belfast-born Gerry Crossley.
A highly promising first season in 1996/97 saw the ruddy-cheeked goalgetter make energetic outings at both Youth and Reserve level before an injury sustained in March abruptly truncated his progress. Ominously for all the Youth team strikers then on the books, a young pupil from St. Margaret's in Livingston named Mark Burchill took this opportunity to blast an unprecedented hat-trick of hat-tricks in the Glasgow Cup, before adding another against England schoolboys in the Victory Shield for good measure.
Fitzpatrick battled back to fitness the following season but, although the Youth squad in its entirety was completely ignored by Wim Jansen, the likes of Marc Anthony, Barry Elliot and Burchill doubtless remained well ahead in the pecking order. As such Paddy and John Paul Dow were allowed to join Motherwell at the end of 1997/98, to represent them in the next season's new-fangled SPL under-21 league.
Given the well-documented difficulties encountered by Neil Lennon as a young player at Fir Park, it is not surprising that Fitzpatrick does not appear to have lasted out the season before returning to Ireland. Although other Irish players were on Motherwell's books at that time, in the shape of Tommy Coyne and Stephen Craigan, their respective backgrounds (of Govan and Bangor) may have afforded them a greater forewarning of what to expect at the self-styled 'family club'. For his part JP Dow was known simply as 'John Dow' throughout his own year at Motherwell.
Back in Ireland Paddy has turned out in the Wexford District League for original club Taghmon United, Stoney Rovers and linked up with McGrath at their dads' old side Wexford (Town) Celtic.
Playing Career
| League Appearances | League Goals | ||
| 1995/96 | Taghmon United | ? | ? |
| Celtic | 0 | 0 | |
| 1996/97 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
| 1997/98 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
| 1998/99 | Motherwell | 0 | 0 |
| … | Taghmon United | ? | ? |
| … | Stoney Rovers | ? | ? |
| … | Wexford Celtic | ? | ? |
Honours
Republic of Ireland U16 caps
Pictures
Media
- Do we have videos etc?