Paudi Fitzgerald
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Today in Dingle, the second stage of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan will get under way, But the town of Dingle has a resident and businessman who blazed a trail for cycling many a long year ago. Te name is none other than Paudi Fitzgerald who won the Ras Tailteann back in 1956, In many ways it is a nostalgic visit as it co-insides with another Paudi who is leading the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan.
The Ras Tailteann winner started is career at grass track racing which was all the rage back in the distant pass. Particularly in West Kerry area,and like many others in his day graduated to road racing where he achieved notoriety. Shortly after his great win in the Ras (won two stages also), he emigrated and success followed him as it had done on the bike.On his return to the 'Kingdom' he went into business and to this day is at his desk.
He may have ridden the bike, but on one occasion he walked from Dingle to Dublin for charity.
If you are in the Dingle area at around mid-day, Paudi will officially s.tart stage two of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan which are the title sponsors of the day, Fitzgerald's Centra/Homevalue
NB:- Paudie and a group of former riders are organizing a reunion for riders, managers, mechanics, and masseurs and their families from the early years of the Ras in September 2012 in Sneem, Co Kerry. Anyone interested in attending can contact Paudie at- Paudie Fitzgerald, Killeen (the cross), Oakpark, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 7126251 / 086 4058113 info@homevaluedingle.ie
PAUDIE FITZGERALD INTERVIEW
Tommy Campbell: What shape are you in?
Paudi Fitzgerald: Not bad for a man that was in the first Ras in 1953 (he laughs). I�m a bit overweight and have a job keeping the weight down but I do my best.
TC: Do you have any health concerns and if so?
PF:I don�t at the moment but I�ve had my ups & downs healthwise but you just keep going.
TC: What are your healthiest eating habits, or have you any?
PF: Porridge with no sugar for breakfast, home cooking with no butter and a lot of fish and fruit. I love potatoes & veg.
TC: What's your guiltiest pleasure in relation to food?
PF: Seafood chowder, lobster followed by bread & butter pudding.
Paudi Fitzgerald at the launch of 'The Ras' book
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TC: What would keep you awake at night?
PF: Absolutely nothing. I�ve always been a great sleeper. Even during the RAS I remember getting good nights sleep.
TC: How do you relax?
PF: I love watching sport on TV especially cycling. Meeting up with my good friends Eddie Lacey, Sean O'Connor and Declan Moriarty.
TC: Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
PF: Sean Kelly and Lance Armstrong. Sean Kelly was the greatest cyclist of all time in my opinion. He won everything and commanded great respect on and off the bike. He was and still is a great ambassador for Irish cycling. I think he was maybe a little unlucky not to have won the Tour de France. I�d ask him what he would have needed to get the ultimate prize. Lance Armstrong was a great bike handler and always showed great composure in the mountains.
TC: What's your favourite smell?
PF: Home cooking when I�m hungry.
TC: What are you reading at the moment?
PF: I don�t read books much but like sports books.
TC: Your favourite newspaper?
PF: I read the Kerryman and Kerrys Eye for local news and the Independent.
TC: What would you change about your appearance?
PF: Nothing really, I�m happy enough as I am.
TC: What trait do you least like in others?
PF: Well I gave my very dear friend Eddie Lacey half of my banana once when he had the bonk in a race and he went on to beat me in the sprint. Is that what you mean? (he laughs)
TC: Do you pray?
PF: Yes, everyday.
TC: What would cheer you up on a typical day?
PF: A fine sunny day and no rain.
TC: Any regrets about leaving the cycling scene in 1957?
PF: Overall not really. My motivation had dropped off at the time. Looking back I would have liked to go on for another few years and try to win a couple of more RAS.
TC: In your opinion! What is the state of Irish cycling in at the moment?
PF: The numbers in both competitive and leisure cycling are increasing which is a good sign. Following the races over the past few years, some hard and competitive racing goes on with very large fields both nationally and locally. In Kerry, I�ve watched riders like Paul Griffin, Eugene Moriarty and Sean Lacey show what can be achieved.
Young Daniel Clifford looks promising at the moment. I wouldn�t be too well up on the management side of things but the young riders today seem to be very tactically aware and astute. It seems that they are being given the right advice from the coaching structures even at underage level. I think that the future is bright and it won�t be too long before we see a few more Kellys & Roches.
Brian Connaughton, Gene Mangan and Paudi Fitzgerald
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