The Chair of Clare GAA says Pat Fitzgerald’s departure is set to ‘clear the deck’ for an incoming new head of operations.
The Sixmilebridge clubman will step down from his role as secretary after 32 years of service following the All Ireland Senior Hurling final.
A formal interview process for the newly created head of operations role is believed to be imminent, with the appointment having been recommended as part of Clare GAA’s Strategic Review group last year.
County Board Chair Kieran Keating, while paying tribute to Fitzgerald’s service, says his departure will be followed by a slight reshuffle in administrative structures.
Listen to the full interview here:
Note of thanks from the Chairman on behalf of Clare GAA on the announced retirement of our distinguished and long-serving Runaí, Pat Fitzgerald.
As Chairman of Clare GAA, I would wish to put on record my grateful thanks and
congratulations to Pat on the occasion of his announcement of his retirement next month, from his long-held role as our full-time Secretary.
Pat Fitzgerald has been at the helm of Clare GAA for over three decades, and without question that term has been the most successful period in the history of Clare GAA.
Successes on the field of play at Senior, Intermediate, U21 and Minor level have peppered those decades, and off the field the County Board has undergone significant growth and change, in terms of facilities, staffing, volunteerism and overall development.
Pat has been central to all of that, and for his dedication and commitment, I’m sure I speak on behalf of all who love Clare GAA, when I thank him profusely for that service.
Pat has always been at the end of the phone for every club secretary, team manager and officer of Clare GAA. Regardless as to whether it was at 7:30am or 11pm, he was seemingly never “off duty” and always available to deal with matters relating to our games.
I wish him the best of health and happiness for a long retirement, and would also like to mention our sincere thanks to his wife Nuala, who alongside Pat welcomed so many of us over their threshold, on countless occasions and often at ungodly hours.
Hopefully those long days and curtailed holidays can finally be replaced now with long holidays and days of leisure, including in the stands and outside the wire enjoying the spectacle of our great games.
Milé buíochas Padraig, and well played!