AUL DEC 2004

TOM Fitzgerald




Brother-in-law Steve O'Donovan tempted Tom Fitzgerald back into football. Tom, out of the game for a few years, relented and so began a 28 year relationship with Fairview that ended a few weeks back when Fitzgerald joined the Management Committee of the Cork AUL.





Fairview was Tom's second club. The first was Southend United where he played from U12 to Minor level under Paddy Gregory, "one of the best managers and motivators in Schoolboys soccer".



Tom then took his break but brother in-law O'Donovan, a founder member of Fairview and its current chairman, wasn't going to take no for an answer. From 1973, Tom played with the 'View, acted as a mentor, and filled various roles on the committee and indeed served twenty five years as club treasurer.



Towards the end of last season, Tom felt he needed a new challenge. He didn't seek re-election at the club's annual general meeting but instead applied to join the Cork AUL. Tom was delighted with the response: "I was honoured to be co-opted in July. My ties with Fairview were not entirely broken fully, as I was awarded honorary Vice-Presidency at their AGM. I am looking forward to the season ahead and hope the experience I have gained at Club level in the past will be of benefit to the Cork AUL. in the future."