The late Freddie Hewitt - a tribute from Moate All Whites

As a young boy Freddie Hewitt could hardly be kept out of Hogan Park, when the Moate footballers were playing a match or at training, and he would stay behind the goals to catch the high balls coming over the bar, over and over again.

In doing this, he honed his fielding and high catching skills, and his dedication paid off. As anyone who has played alongside him or against him, or just watched in admiration will testify, Freddie had a unique style of his own when rising high and winning that ball.

He played senior championship for 13 seasons for his beloved All Whites, and in the middle of that period, Moate enjoyed a period of dominance in Westmeath football, and Freddie was one of a team of great players that helped the All Whites achieve this dominance.

His senior debut for Moate came in 1968, and if you happen to be a budding Moate footballer of just 20 years of age, what better way to make your Senior Championship debut, than to play against Rosemount in your first ever game, and win.

Moate beat Rosemount in that game in 1968, and the writer of a match report praised the Moate defence and added, "However, to me, Fred Hewitt was the man of the moment, coming to the rescue at the right time to save Moate in many dangerous situations". Over the years to follow, Freddie continued to save Moate in many dangerous situations.

In the following three years, 1969, '70 and '71, Moate reached the senior county final each year, only to be defeated all three times (losing to Athlone in '71, having been defeated by The Downs in the previous two finals).

During that time, Freddie's impressive displays had caught the attention of the Westmeath team management, and he was called up to the county squad, making his senior Westmeath debut against Longford in October, 1970. He remained a regular on the Westmeath team for the next three years, before stepping away from the panel.

He was captain of the All Whites senior team in 1972, and at that time many of his older teammates were hanging up their boots, and taking their places were a talented younger bunch of lads who were impressing greatly with successful Carmelite College teams.

After many years in pursuit of victory, this new look team won the Senior Football League final in 1974, and improved on that by reaching the next four Senior Championship finals, and winning three of them, in 1975, '76, and '78.

Moate's rise in fortunes also saw Freddie return to the Westmeath team in 1975 for another two years. After those memorable winning years, and now in his 30s, Freddie's last outing for Moate was in a Senior Championship tie against Athlone in 1980.

Garrycastle GAA was formed in 1981, and Freddie transferred to the newly formed club. From day one, he became a rock in their full back line, and also donned the Garrycastle team trainer's bib, and was an integral part of their 1981 Junior Championship winning team.

For perhaps reasons of sentiment or for old time's sake, in the GAA's centenary year of 1984, Freddie transferred from Garrycastle to Moate, to line out with the All Whites one last time. Ironically, it was a Junior 'B' game against Garrycastle, and the game ended in a draw, 1-8 to 0-11.

Freddie returned to play and coach with Garrycastle, and for a time found time to coach underage teams in Moate too. With Garrycastle he continued playing well into his veteran years. In 1989, at 41 years of age, he played in a Junior 'B' tie against Loughnavalley at Hogan Park, Moate.

Freddie was named after his grandfather, Fred Mullally of Lisnagree, and it was back to his family's ancestral burial place in Rosemount that he went today, to rest with his much cherished parents, Bridie and Tommy Hewitt. In making that final journey, he made one last visit to his beloved home town of Moate on his way. Eternal rest Fred, from all of the All Whites. Na Bána Abú!

Fred (Freddie) Hewitt of Dublin Road, Athlone, and formerly of Moate, Co. Westmeath died peacefully on March 17th, surrounded by his loving family.

A retired member of the Defence Forces, Freddie was predeceased by his beloved parents, Thomas and Bridie. Sadly missed by his loving brother Tom and sister Marie, sister-in-law Agnes, nephews Tommy, Mark, Paul and Anton, nieces Lauren and Jennifer, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Having reposed at Flynn's Funeral Home, The Strand, Athlone on Thursday evening, Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Mary's Church, Athlone earlier today (Friday), followed by burial afterwards in Rosemount Cemetery. May Freddie rest in peace.