Fitzpatrick simultaneously made his first appearances on the club scene, winning a Cork MFC title with St Finbarr's in 1968, before progressing to adult level as a dual player.
He won a Cork SHC medal as a panel member in his first season, however, he missed the final as he was recuperating after operations for appendicitis and a pelvic abscess.
[9][10] Fitzpatrick made a number of National Hurling League appearances for the senior team.
In retirement from playing, Fitzpatrick remained involved with St Finbarr's as a coach at all levels.
He was assistant coach, under Charlie McCarthy, when the club's senior team beat Carbery in the 1993 final.