Though Cuala were knocked out of the Dublin SFC at the quarter-final stage by Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday night, it was Michael Fitzsimons who was named Man of the Match by RTÉ.
Reigning Dublin champions Crokes edged the game 0-14 to 1-9. Fitzsimons had stood stoutly against a Kilmacud forward line featuring Paul Mannion, Shane Walsh and Dara Mullin.
"It's probably hard [to put the disappointment into words] without getting emotional," Cuala fullback Fitzsimons told Marty Morrissey after the game.
"I suppose we've played second fiddle to the hurlers for a while. When you see lads like Luke Keating, who have sacrificed so much out there, and not getting over the line there. I think we had a huge opportunity. Probably lacked a bit of experience coming from Senior 2.
"We didn't do enough. And I feel so responsible, we couldn't get it out of defence there. Just little simple things, and I think we could have got over the line.
"A lot of people have put in a huge amount of work in Cuala football to get us [here]. It's no achievement making it to a quarter-final, but I suppose it is a stepping stone for us. It's just a bit emotional, it was a missed opportunity."
17 September 2022; Dara Mullin of Kilmacud Crokes is tackled by Cuala players, from left Niall James, David Sheerin and Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne during the Dublin GAA County Senior Club Football Championship Quarter-Final match between Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Put to him that Cuala have many qualities which top clubs around the country would desire, Fitzsimons responded that was "little consolation at the moment".
"We'll ruminate over a few things there," he continued.
"Crokes are a great team. Rory (O'Carroll), Craig (Dias) and all them... Rory has been the best player in club championship for the last two years. They were very unlucky against Kilcoo last year. It's a long road for them.
"Fair play to them. We're obviously big rivals, and there would be a bit of back and forth, it was a bit ratty there at times. They're a great club. We played them in the league last year. Both them and their first team donated to the Support4Drummo [campaign]. Despite the rivalry, we're very close clubs. It was a good battle.
"Fair play to RTÉ and TG4 for doing the coverage. It makes a big deal to lads who don't play inter-county to get this support. There's a lot of sacrifice. My brother John was there, and Luke and James Power who have sacrificed loads this year.
"We've been hammered in some league games, barely scored two points against Thomas Davis. For their wives and children to see stuff like this, it gives a bit of vindication for the sacrifices made."
17 September 2022; Former Dublin senior footballer and RTÉ analyst Kevin McManamon at half-time of the Dublin GAA County Senior Club Football Championship Quarter-Final match between Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Following the interview, Fitzsimons's former Dublin teammate Kevin McManamon, who was part of the RTÉ panel for the game, said "Just listening to him, you can feel how much his heart is in it."
"I can nearly picture him watching the game back tomorrow, and rewinding, wondering why they only got 1-2 in the second half," McManamon added.
"He's a class guy. How he can speak that clearly and that well after a 60, 70-minute match, and just having your season ended...
"Because he plays in the fullback line, fullbacks usually don't get any press, except Philly (McMahon)! Mick Fitz does his job, goes about his business. He's one of the most diligent guys, and a big, big leader for Dublin.
"I loved, loved playing with him. You trust him because you know he's doing it for the right reason, whether he's calling you out or pushing you on.
"My heart really was with him there. I've been there not so long ago against Crokes, where you're so close, and you feel like you can get over the line - they're a suffocating team to play against."
Regarding Fitzsimons, former Dublin footballer Philly McMahon added: "He led by example all the time [with Dubin]. He's a top guy, a guy you'd go into battle with all the time.
"He does things for the right reasons. Around the GAA world, a lot of people have huge respect for Mick Fitzsimons and when you see him saying the thing's there about his club, you can see exactly why."
See Also: The Day Jayo Played In The Dublin GAA Final, And The League Of Ireland
