'I don't think there's a church in Limerick big enough for the funeral': Soccer stalwart passes away

ONE OF the shining lights of senior soccer in Limerick - and particularly Ballynanty Rovers - has sadly passed away.

Tony Fitzgerald died peacefully at his home in Woodview Park aged 84, and will be laid to rest this Wednesday.

Hugely popular in sporting circles, he was a proud Thomond RFC man.

But his first love was always Ballynanty Rovers as his son Billy Fitzgerald recalled.

“He was Ballynanty Rovers to the core. He loved his football. He rarely missed a game - every weekend in all kinds of weather,” he said.

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One tribute declared Tony was the “greatest player and supporter” of the Blues.

“They might debate the greatest player, but definitely the greatest supporter. I don’t think many clubs would have had a clubman like him to be honest,” said Billy, the proprietor of Fitzgerald’s Pub in neighbouring Thomondgate.

Tony left school at just 13 years of age and joined his uncle Joe’s glassmaking firm.

Working long hours at a young age eventually led to him starting his own business, Tony Fitzgerald glass.

Initially based in Broad Street, then Denmark Street, before merging into Limerick Glass and moving into Dock Road, Tony retired from the business a decade ago aged 74.

Upon his retirement, he kept his mind active by playing a central role in the plans his beloved Ballynanty Rovers had to develop their playing facilities on the northside.

“I think it kept him alive five years longer than he probably would have been. It drove him. He was proud of what the Ballynanty lads had achieved, and he was always there with the words of advice, which were taken on board,” Billy said.

“Somebody said to me over the last few days, if Tony had something to say, it was worth listening to.”

In his retirement, Tony was honoured for his services to Ballynanty Rovers by the Football Association of Ireland in 2019, and in 2022, by the then Mayor of Limerick Francis Foley.

Billy admits he wasn’t a “huggy” father.

“But he would be able to read the situation. He’d know if you were in a bad way, and he was 100% always there to help out. He put a couple of lads through college, and was very proud to do that. He was hands on in that way - always wanting to make sure you were alright, and secure,” the publican added.

People are being asked to make donations, if they desire, to the repair fund for St Leilia’s Church in Ballynanty, where Tony’s funeral Mass will be held.

According to Billy, the church was like a “second home” for both Tony, plus his treasured wife and best friend Joan.

“People have been asking me why is it going to St Lelia’s, it’s not big enough. But I don’t think there is a church in Limerick that’d be big enough for the funeral,” he admitted.

Since his father’s death on January 2 last, Billy and his family have been heartened with the stories people have shared about his father.

“He just loved speaking with people, interacting with people, finding out who they were. He’d educate people on who  they’d be related to. He’d be telling them stories they’d never heard before about their own relatives. We’re loving hearing all these different stories,” he said.

Tony is beloved husband of Joan, his treasured wife and best friend. 

He is also much loved father to Eileen (Greg), Billy (Breda), Brian (Campon), Sinead, Keith (Cora), Nicholas (Amy) and Joseph (Anna). 

An adored granddad to Matthew, Christine, Killian, Elizabeth, Laura, Sommer, Ethan, Carla, Caitlin, Eoin, Sophie, Aubrey, Eric, Holl - and great-granddad to Jack, Theo, Lauren, Jayden, Aaron, Sarah-Louise, Liam. 

He is sadly missed by his sisters Hilary and Pauline. Predeceased by his parents Bill and Mary and by his siblings Larry, Vera, Kathleen, Liam and John. Missed by his niece and nephews, sisters-in-law Marie, Kathy, Marie and Eileen and brothers-in-law Michael, Patsy and Sean. Deeply regretted by his heartbroken family, extended family and friends.

He will repose at Cross’s Funeral Home this Tuesday night in Lower Gerald Griffin Street, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

His funeral Mass will take place from noon on Wednesday, January 7, with burial afterwards in Castlemungret Cemetery.

His requiem Mass will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/live/7TDdSRwVC_s?feature=share