The club ground of Charleville Athletic Football Club (AFC) in Charleville, County Cork, is to be renamed to honour the club’s former chairman and SIPTU NEC member, Tim Fitzgerald, who passed away in 2015. Plans for the renaming of their club grounds will be unveiled at a meeting of officials, members and supporters of Charleville AFC in the Charleville Park Hotel on Saturday (1st July) at 7.00 p.m. Charleville AFC Chairman, Kevin Buckley, said: “On 19th August, Charleville AFC will rename our club grounds in Moatville as ‘Tim Fitzgerald Park’ in honour of our former clubman and dear friend. During three decades of service to his local club Tim filled many positions, from committee member to treasurer, to long standing chairman. We are delighted to announce that Republic of Ireland and Manchester United legend Paul McGrath will be in attendance to perform the official opening. “At the meeting this Saturday, in the Charleville Park Hotel, we will be giving more details about a match on 19th August between a Republic of Ireland International Legends selection, featuring former international players such as Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton and Tony Cascarino, and a team made up of local Charleville AFC legends.” SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, said: “Tim was a great advocate for workers. He used his many talents to secure good jobs and terms for his colleagues. He maintained this commitment and dedication when he served the union’s members at every level from shop steward right up to the National Executive Council.” Tim, who was employed at the Kerry Ingredients plant in Charleville, County Cork, was elected to the SIPTU NEC in 2010. A high profile community activist he was a former chairman of the Charleville Labour Party branch and a football coach and administrator at local and national levels.
Football ground in Charleville to be named after SIPTU activist Tim Fitzgerald
