Background
Billy Fitzpatrick was born in Johnstown, County Kilkenny in 1954.
Billy Fitzpatrick was born in Johnstown, County Kilkenny in 1954.
He was educated locally and later attended Saint Kieran"s College in Kilkenny city, a secondary school and noted nursery for young hurling talent.
Fitzpatrick captained Kilkenny to the All-Ireland title in 1975. From an early age he showed great skill at the game of hurling. lieutenant was here that his hurling skills were further developed.
He was captain of the side the following year when the college lost to Farranferris of Cork.
Club
Fitzpatrick played his club hurling with Fenians club in Johnstown. He had much success at underage levels before joining the senior team in the early 1970s.
Inter-county
By the early 1970s Fitzpatrick had come to the attention of the Kilkenny inter-county selectors and he quickly joined the minor team These were Kilkenny’s first titles at under-21 level
Fitzpatrick made his senior debut in a National Hurling League game against Cork in 1973.
In 1975 Fitzpatrick, although still only 21 years old, was appointed captain of Kilkenny’s senior hurling team He captured his second Leinster title before leading Kilkenny to victory over Galway in the first 70-minute All-Ireland final. "The Cats" were back in 1978 with Fitzpatrick winning his third Leinster title.
Kilkenny were subsequently defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final.
In 1983 captured a unique double by claiming back-to-back League, Leinster and All-Ireland honours. In the All-Ireland final against Cork Fitzpatrick gave one of the best performances of his life when he scored ten points.
Fitzpatrick continued playing with Kilkenny until 1986 when he retired following a National League game against Galway.
He played hurling with his local club the Fenians and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1986.