We have just completed the 11 th annual Fitzpatrick Cup Competition.
In total, 89 boys and girls from 4 th – 6 th classes took part. All told, there were 18 League games and 7 knockout games making a grand total of 25 matches to complete this entire series.

Congratulations to all 89 children for taking part and for participating in such a sporting way and especially Conor Bowles and his team on the win.

Thanks to the parents for coming out and supporting us and for taking the time off work to be here. When you have a large crowd of spectators, it really adds to the excitement and the sense of occasion.

A huge thank-you to the University of Limerick for the use of this astroturf facility and especially to Neasa O’Donnell and Sara Hartigan of the Sports Department for their ongoing support and help and dedication and goodwill towards this school.

Thanks to our School Principal Mr. Moore for the hours that he put into team
selection and organisation with me in the weeks before Christmas in order to get the balance of the teams right and to give all 89 children a sporting chance. We are all very fortunate to have a principal who fully appreciates the value of sport and who is willing to lend his support, time and expertise to a venture such as this. The Board of Management also deserves a word of thanks as it is the Board of Management that puts up the cash for the purchase of medals and trophies each year in addition to paying for bibs, balls, goalposts, cones and a whole range of other equipment required to keep the School Teams going.

Finally, a mention for the man in whose memory we hold this competition every January. George Fitzpatrick worked in Milford NS for 22 years until his untimely death on the 6 th of February, 2009. We remember him here today and our thoughts and prayers are with his family as the 11 th anniversary of his passing approaches. George was tireless in the energy and dedication and service that he put into Milford NS. His influence and example lives on long after him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.