With Ulster, he was part of the team that won the 1998-99 Heineken Cup, defeating Colomiers 21–6 in the final before 49,500 fans at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

[6] He also helped coach Willie Anderson's Dungannon side win Ulster's first All-Ireland League title in 2001, beating favorites Cork Constitution in the final.

[7] In 2003, after making 73 appearances for Ulster, he moved to Castres Olympique,[8] and in his first season there he helped the club win the Coupe de France, beating CS Bourgoin-Jallieu 27-26 in the final.

[2] On his retirement from playing, Fitzpatrick became director of rugby at Dungannon RFC, assisted by player-coach Kieran Campbell.

He also took them to their first All-Ireland Cup Final, losing a closely contested match against Bruff Rugby Union Football Club 24-18.