Declan Fitzpatrick is an Irish former rugby union footballer. He played for Ulster from 2006 to 2015. The tighthead prop made his debut for Ulster against Biarritz in 2006. He played 98 times for Ulster, scoring three tries.
2006–10
Fitzpatrick started his career with Ulster playing against the Scarlets in which Ulster won 31–16 thanks to tries from Paul Steinmetz, Mark Bartholomeusz and Ulster hero David Humphreys. Fitzpatrick then played a huge part in scoring the winning try as Ulster beat the Dragons 32–25. Fitzpatrick then played 9 minutes as Ulster smashed the Ospreys 43–7 thanks to tries from Tommy Bowe, Neil McMillan, Paul Steinmetz and Rory Best. He played one minute then as Ulster lost to Munster Rugby 21–13. He played against Connacht Rugby, Cardiff Blues and Munster Rugby to finish the 2006–07 season. He played 437 minutes in the 2007–08 season and missed almost the whole of the 2008–09 season through injury only playing in a 43–17 defeat to the Scarlets. Fitzpatrick played 17 matches in 2009–10 playing 450 mins in a brilliant season for Ulster Rugby
2010–11
Fitzpatrick started 2010–11 when Ulster beat Scarlets 27–26. Stephen Ferris scored the first try and Darren Cave scored the next as Ulster started the season on a high. Robbie Diack then sent Ulster through to victory against Aironi 22–15. Ulster were then outnumbered as Fitzpatrick played 9 minutes in a humiliating 30–13 defeat to Leinster. This brilliant win from Leinster was led by Seán O'Brien who scored two tries with Shane Horgan also on the scoreboard. Ulster were then crushed 35–10 by Munster Rugby with TJ Anderson the only try scorer for Ulster. Ulster then beat Benetton Treviso 32–13 with Fitzpatrick coming off the bench. He played 10 minutes in the Heineken cup then as Ulster beat Biarritz 9–6. He played 58 minutes against Aironi when Ulster crushed the Italian side 43–6. It was hero Pedrie Wannenburg that won the game for Ulster as he scored two tries. Ulster were then pipped by Ospreys 23–22 as Fitzpatrick played 73 minutes. He played 65 minutes against Scarlets with Ulster winning 18–16. Ulster then smashed the Cardiff Blues 32–13 with tries from Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy, Ruan Pienaar and Luke Marshall. Fitzpatrick then scored his first try of the season when Ulster beat Aironi 23–10. Fitzpatrick then played in a lucky 25–23 win against Newport Gwent Dragons thanks to tries from Tommy Seymour, Darren Cave and Nevin Spence. Fitzpatrick played 58 minutes when Ulster beat Glasgow Warriors 22–19. Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar was the hero scoring all the points. Fitzpatrick then started against Newport Gwent Dragons in which Ulster Rugby won 20–13. Nevin Spence and Pedrie Wannenburg scored the tries. He played 40 minutes against Leinster Rugby before coming of injured at half time.
2011–12
Fitzpatrick missed part of 2011–12 due to a neck injury and ended up playing his first match against Aironi which Ulster won 25–19. Tries from Ian Whitten, Dan Tuohy and Craig Gilroy won the game for Ulster. Ulster then played against Cardiff Blues which the Ulstermen won 20–3 with both tries coming from Centre Darren Cave. Fitzpatrick then started against Ospreys which Ulster were smashed 32–14. He played the whole of Ulster Rugbys 22–9 defeat to Newport Gwent Dragons. Fitzpatrick was then yellow carded for a tip tackle against Benetton Treviso which Ulster lost 23–12. Pedrie Wannenburg scored 2 tries in this game. In the Heineken Cup Fitzpatrick came off the bench against Clermont in the first round of the heineken cup which Ulster won 16–11 thanks to all the points being scored by Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys. Ulster were then beaten 20–9 by Leicester Tigers in round 2 20–9. Fitzpatrick started that game. He then played his final game of 2011 in a 17–9 defeat to Glasgow Warriors. Fitzpatrick then returned from injury to play in a 16–8 defeat against European Champions Leinster Rugby. Then due to John Afoas suspension for the Heineken Cup semi-final Fitzpatrick had to go and play in front of 50,000 at the Aviva. Ulster won the match 22–19. Pedrie Wannenburg and Ruan Pienaar collected the points for Ulster Rugby. Ulster were then thrashed 36–8 by Munster Rugby in the pro 12 in which Fitzpatrick started. In the Heineken Cup final Fitzpatrick was on the bench to see Ulster losing 14–6 to Leinster Rugby at half-time. He came on in the 75th minute but it was an awful experience with Leinster finishing champions 42–14.
Ireland
Fitzpatrick had played eight games with the Ireland wolfhounds but because of Mike Ross' injury for the 2012 New Zealand tour Fitzpatrick was called up to cover for him and made his Ireland debut on 9 June against New Zealand.
