Clonkill pays tribute to young Club star

Our community was shattered a few weeks ago when the news broke of John (Johnny) Fitzsimons untimely death at twenty one years of age. Unfortunately deaths such as Johnnys have become all too common in our modern society but that in no way reduces the heartbreak for loving families as they, as well as the community, struggle to come to terms with a tragedy such as this death.Shock and disbelief and an inability to know the right words to say was the standard reaction coupled with heartfelt sympathy for his grieving and adoring family. The genuine sadness experienced by his team mates in both Clonkill and The Downs and his many friends outside the clubs, pales into insignificance when compared to the enormous grief and pain that his family endure with great dignity.Johnny was involved with the club for the major part of his short life and would always accompany his father, Jimmy or his brother, James whenever training at any age level was on even though he was only six or seven years of age at the time. His quick wit and natural good humour made him stand out from the start.The Fitzsimons family were synomonous with our club from its inception with Johnny's grandfather, Jim a holder of seven senior championship medals with the club and he was on the four in a row team of 1929 to 1932 and the three in a row team of 1939 to 1941.Jim held the remarkable record of captaining the Clonkill senior team all through this great successful period. Johnny's father Jimmy played for the club for nearly thirty years and his brother. James, like Johnny, is a current member of the senior team and has won many honours with the club. Both Johnny and James were members of the Clonkill team that won the senior championship in ‘07 and ‘09 and the All Ireland Intermediate Final for the club in 2008. It was a very proud day for their father Jimmy who was the club chairman at the time to see his two sons represent Clonkill in Croke Park.Johnny came into the senior panel as one of a group of very talented hurlers who had won premier championship medals for the club at Under 14, Under 16, minor, Under 21. Johnny played most of his hurling as a defender and he always gave everything on the field of play. He was tough and uncompromising in his style of play and he could always be relied on to clear the ball no matter who was in his way.Unfortunately a serious leg injury when he was just fourteen years old greatly reduced his natural speed which prevented him from becoming a regular on the senior team in both hurling and football and indeed prevented him and the club from winning another Under 14 title in the year of his injury. Despite his injury, Johnny loved the hard, physical training and never shied away from it even though he might be justified.As well as playing hurling for Clonkill, Johnny also played football for The Downs for many years and was a medal winner at Under 16, minor and Under 21. While he played his hurling in defence, it was in the forwards that he starred at underage at football. He was regarded as a fearless and very cute corner forward who understood more than most forwards how to play that position and could always be good for finding the net. Johnny was also a member of the successful Loughegar School teams who won schools final in both codes. Despite his injury, he also represented his county at underage.As I mentioned, Johnny had many friends within and outside the club. He loved to have fun and play tricks on his friends and acquaintenances. Indeed there are few in both clubs and even outside the clubs who were not tricked by Johnny at some stage but it was always innocent and those tricked always joined in the laughter because Johnny could not be mean to anyone, it wasn't in his nature. He was known as The Bishop or Len Bishop to his friends.Johnny's funeral was a testament to how he and his family are regarded by the clubs and community. I know that the Fitzsimons family got some small comfort from everybody who attended his funeral and he will be forever in the memory of his friends in Clonkill.The club were honoured to be allowed to help out in a small way with stewarding and partake in the funeral arrangements.To his father Jimmy, his mother Ann, his brother James, his sisters Yvonne and Martina and his extended family we offer our deepest sympathy and promise that we will be there for them to try and help them through this very hard time. Johnny and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers this Christmas and for the future. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis.