Cork City's Josh Fitzpatrick out to repay Ger Nash's faith in him with FAI Cup final triumph
GER AND JOSH: Josh Fitzpatrick poses for a portrait with the Sports Direct FAI Cup. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
He turned 20 last month and despite relegation will end his breakthrough Premier Division campaign with a place on the wing in the national decider.
“Seáni is always talking about it being one of the best occasions of his career,” said the youngster about Maguire’s extra-time winner against his former club Dundalk.
“I was one of the few current players to go watch him in that final as kids. My schoolboy club Everton organised a bus for us to watch that game so I was with my teammates and family.
“Now we get to play with him on the same stage. It must be a mad feeling for him, a real whirlwind. Now I can’t wait for it to be our occasion.”
Ex-Ireland U19 representative Fitzpatrick was a peripheral figure until the change of management in May triggered a turnaround.
Ger Nash placed his trust in the versatile operator but it was the manager’s assistant, fellow Corkonian David Meyler, whom he revelled under.
“Bringing the Dave Meyler experience was probably the biggest, most valuable thing,” he said of the former Ireland international’s return to the club he began his professional career at before moving to England.
“He played at a really high level and knows what it takes to win games like this final on Sunday. Because we're a young group, I think experience has been a major thing for us.
“He came in during the summer and then he had to get to know the players. He saw something in me that he liked.
“I just trained as normal, trained as hard as I could, they started playing and I haven't looked back. I'll be honest, under Tim, I was a bit disappointed because I didn't play many games but it’s all changed.”
His adaptability has seen him stunted into various positions but attacking the Shamrock Rovers wing-backs, as he will be encouraged to on the lush, wide Dublin 4 pitch, is his forte.
“I like to excite the fans, to get people off their seats,” he said with a beaming smile. "That's my game, that's what wingers love to do.
“I've no problem playing in the wing-back or full-back but winger is my favourite. I know my strengths, know my weaknesses, so I just try to play to my strengths.”
Words from Meyler should help address the natural nerves which come with entertaining a crowd expected to reach at least 35,000.
Toppling the champions as the division’s bottom team is another daunting factor to the assignment.
“We know we can win the final, once we all just stick together,” added Fitzpatrick, who has committed for next season’s return to the First Division on a new contract.
“David has been saying that to us all week. He knows, he's been there, he's done that, he knows what it takes to win those games.
“A huge game in a huge stadium before a huge crowd will create nerves but I’ll get over those quickly to treat it as another game.
“It was difficult for management to implement their ideas midway through the season but I think we're more than capable of getting back what we’ve lost.”
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