Jump to content

Wexford GAA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ciaran1991 (talk | contribs) at 17:23, 12 September 2010 (→‎Camogie). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For more information see Wexford Senior Club Hurling Championship or Wexford Senior Club Football Championship.
{{{team}}}
Irish:Loch Garman
Nickname(s):The Model County
The Yellowbellies
The Slaneysiders
Province:Leinster
Dominant sport:Hurling
Ground(s):Wexford Park, Wexford
County colours:Purple and Gold
County teams
NFL:Division 3
NHL:Division 1
Football Championship:Sam Maguire Cup
Hurling Championship:Liam McCarthy Cup
Ladies' Gaelic football:Brendan Martin Cup
Camogie:O'Duffy Cup

The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) (Irish: Cummann Luthchleas Gael Coiste Loch Garman) or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.

History

No doubt you've heard at Croke Park or other venues throughout the country - "Come on the yellow bellies". But don't go jumping to any hasty conclusions for that nickname was proudly won by Wexford hurlers over two hundred years ago. And it certainly does not infer cowardice or a "yellow streak". Here's how the name was coined and stuck, Sir Caesar Colclough of Tintern, in south Wexford, a descendant of one of the old Norman settlers of 1169 is said to have been on friendly terms with King William III (of battle of the Boyne fame) and often boasted of the hurling skill of his south Wexford tenants and neighbours. William eventually challenged him to bring over 21 Wexford men to play an equal number of Cornish men, whose skill, no doubt inherited because of their Celtic origin, made them foremost among the English as wielders of the caman. Prior to the challenge game, Sir Caesar held a trial match between two local south Wexford teams, the Scarrougns (so called because they hailed from south of the river Scar which flows into Bannow Bay) and the Beany Boys (men from the baronies of Forth and Bargy where beans were formerly extensively grown). Following this trial game Sir Caesar picked 21 of the best hurlers from both sides and set off with them for Cornwall. The Wexford men were accorded a royal reception. The Cornishmen looked with contempt on their Slaneyside opponents as they stripped. But, Sir Caesar gave his men a glass of whiskey apiece and told them to tie yellow kerchiefs around their middles so that they would easily recognize each other on the field. This they did and then trooped on to that Cornish Croke Park that day in the 17th century. Of course they literally hurled their opponents off the field, exhibiting, in the course of doing so, such a degree of skill and craft that William and his queen were heard to shout "Well done, yellowbellies", "Fine fellows, yellowbellies". The name stuck to this very day, and Wexfordians are proud of it. Today you'll hear it shouted during the big game by excited fans from the same baronies and bearing the same name as those Wexford hurlers of old who brought fame and a nickname to their native county.

Gaelic football

Wexford had one of the greatest football teams in the history of the GAA during the 1910s with them winning six Leinster and four All-Irelands in a row.[1] The team was trained by 1900 star Jem Roche - who had fought for the World Heavyweight boxing Championship, and featured Father Ned Wheeler, Aidan Doyle and the O'Kennedy brothers, Gus and Sean. The latter was the team captain. The six-in-a-row in Leinster was unequalled until Dublin's winning sequence between 1974 and 1979.

Wexford's last major football success was winning the Leinster title in 1945. From then on, hurling took precedent in Wexford and as a consequence, the Wexford footballers suffered and descended into obscurtity for many years.

However, recently Wexford have had a very strong team. The team beat all the odds to reach the Division 1 League final of 2005 under the management of Pat Roe but were beaten by a strong Armagh team that day.

In April 2008, Wexford beat Fermanagh to win the Division 3 League final. This proved to be the first success of what would be a historic year for Wexford football, as they reached their first Leinster final in over 50 years. Along the way they stunned favourites Meath by coming from 9 points in arrears to win their Quarter Final in Carlow and then beat Laois in the semi final. This was Wexford's 5th consecutive appearance in the provincial semi final, but their first victory. However, they comprehensively defeated the O'Moore county.

Unfortunately the occasion of their historic Leinster final appearance would seem to have gotten to them, and they were torn apart by a rampant Dublin team in the final, 3-23 to 9 points. This incredible 23 point victory for the Dubs sealed a 4th consecutive Leinster Championship, but Wexford would appear to have had the more successful year, based on what followed.

Dublin were well beaten in their All Ireland Quarter Final against eventual champions Tyrone, while Wexford recovered from their humiliation and came through the backdoor, beating Down by 7 points in a shock result to reach the last 8 and a game with Armagh. From here, they produced one of the shocks of the championship, winning 14 points to 1-12 to reach their first All Ireland semi final since the 1940s.

Unfortunately that was as far as they went, as despite a brave effort, they were beaten by 6 points by Tyrone in the semi-final, though they came to within 2 points of the eventual champions in the closing stages.

It was an amazing first season in charge for Jason Ryan, a newcomer to the management scene.

Wexford Football Team

No. Player Position Club
1 Anthony Masterson Goalkeeper
2 Joey Wadding Right Corner Back St. Fintan’s
3 Graeme Molloy Full Back St. James'
4 Brian Malone Left Corner Back
5 Colm Morris Right Half Back
6 David Murphy Centre Back (Captain)
7 Aindreas Doyle Left Half Back
8 Daithí Waters Midfield St.Martin's
9 Eric Bradley Midfield
10 Shane Roche Right Half Forward
11 Redmond Barry Centre Forward
12 Adrian Flynn Left Half Forward
13 Ciarán Lyng Right Corner Forward St.Martin's
14 PJ Banville Full Forward
15 Matty Forde Left Corner Forward Kilanerin

Squad as per Wexford vs Dublin (Leinster Quarter Final 2010)[2]

Honours

Hurling

Hurling is Wexford's stronger sport. This is in evidence in several one-sided results over the years: Kildare were beaten by 14-15 to 1-1 in an 1897 Croke Cup match. The Antrim team were beaten by 12-17 to 2-3 in a 1954 All-Ireland semi-final. Nicky Rackard, who scored 7-7 at that day, was Wexford's greatest hurler. He starred in two great clashes with Cork in 1954 and 1956. Wexford lost the first after having a goal disallowed, but won the second with the combination of a great Art Foley save and Nicky Rackard goal in the closing minutes.

In the 1970s, the distinctive red-haired Tony Doran was the star as Kilkenny and Wexford played ten rousing Leinster finals in succession. In 1984 they claimed that the final whistle was blown prematurely when they were beaten by a single point in the Leinster final.

Wexford had a great team during the 1990s and their hard work was rewarded in 1996 when Wexford, led by Liam Griffin and captained by Martin Storey, brought the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Slaneyside for the first time since 1968, they were waiting 28 years. Cork and Kilkenny have dominated the honours in recent years.

Wexford's most recent hurling success was in the Leinster Final of 2004 when they defeated Offaly. In the Leinster semi final, they shocked Kilkenny by beating them with a last-gasp goal scored by Michael Jacob after a clinical sideline cut by Adrian Fenlon fell into the hand of Kilkenny centre back Peter Barry, only for the brilliant Michael Jacob to block him down as he tried to get rid of the ball and Jacob subsequently fired the ball to the back of the Kilkenny net ending Kilkenny's 6 year reign as Leinster Champions. Unfortunately, however, hurling in Wexford has been on the slide since 1996, their last All-Ireland success, and the Leinster title in 2004 simply papered over the cracks. Since hitting rock bottom in 2006 Wexford have made great progress so far this season and there are signs that Wexford are becoming contenders again.

2009

In 2009, Wexford took part in Division 2 of the Allianz National Hurling League. After their shock defeat by Antrim, in which the Saffrons made a memorable comeback, Wexford improved to take a place in the division final against Offaly. The yellowbellies were favourites, having beaten them earlier in the league, however Colm Bonnar's men did not perform on the day. It was a massive disappointment, meaning Wexford will be outside of hurling's top tier for the second year running. The Leinster championship arrived and Wexford had a chance for redemption with an opening round clash against Offaly. They gained revenge with Stephen Banville starring in a comfortable victory, with the aid of home advantage. Up next was Dublin and a younger more talented city side prevailed. However it became more shocking during the qualifiers after they were early exited by Limerick.

2010

In 2010 Wexford took part in Division 2 of the Allianz National Hurling League once again playing this time against Clare. The Model men were once again the favourites ,having such a good league experience. Despite a disappointing performance Wexford still ran out winners at the end only to be promoted back to Division 1 of the Allianz National Hurling League after waiting three years. Wexford began The Leinster Championship 2010 with a defeat to Galway in Nowlan Park despite having a good second half.

Wexford Hurling Team

No. Player Position Club
1 Noel Carton Goalkeeper Cloughbawn
2 Paul Roche Right Corner Back Oulart-the-Ballagh
3 Keith Rossiter Full Back Oulart-the-Ballagh
4 Ciarán Kenny Left Corner Back Buffer's Alley
5 Richie Kehoe Right Half Back Faythe Harriers
6 Darren Stamp Centre Back Oulart-the-Ballagh
7 David Redmond Left Half Back Oulart-the-Ballagh
8 Colm Farrell Midfield Hwh Bunclody
9 Harry Kehoe Midfield Cloughbawn
10 Peter Atkinson Right Half Forward Hwh Bunclody
11 Tomás Waters Centre Forward St.Martin's
12 Eoin Quigley Left Half Forward St.Martin's
13 Rory Jacob Right Corner Forward Oulart-the-Ballagh
14 Stephen Banville Full Forward Shelmaliers
15 Tomás Mahon Left Corner Forward Rapparees
No. Player Position Club
16 Dermot Flynn Rathnure
17 Michael Jacob Oulart-the-Ballagh
18 Lar Prendergast Oulart-the-Ballagh
19 Malachy Travers Ballyboden St.Enda's
20 Tommy Dwyer
21 Barry Kenny
22 Jim Berry Faythe Harriers
23 Eoin Doyle
24 Mark Molloy St. James'
25 Paul Nolan
26 Darren Kehoe
27 Darren Nolan
28 Willie Doran Buffer's Alley
29 Emmet Kent
30 Paul Morris

Squad as per Wexford vs Tipperary (All-Ireland Qualifiers Phase 1 2010)[3]

Honours

Camogie

After winning promotion form intermediate in the late 1950s, Wexford won their first All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship in 1968, and won further All Ireland titles in 1969, 1975, 2007 and 2010. They contested the first National Camogie League final in 1977, won the second competition and returned to win it twice in a row 2009-10. Buffers Alley (5) and Rathnure (1995) have won the All Ireland senior club championship.

Notable players include team of the century members Mary Sinnott and Margaret O'Leary, player of the year award-winners Bridget Doyle and Kate Kelly, All Star award winners[4] Áine Codd, Mags Darcy, Mary Leacy and Una Leacy and Catherine O'Loughlin, and All Ireland final stars Mary Walsh Gretta Quigley

Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,”[5] five new camogie clubs are to be established in the county by 2015.[6]

Honours

Ladies' Gaelic football

Honours

References

  1. ^ Wexford Four in a Row
  2. ^ "Wexford Anounce Senior Football Team V Dublin". Wexford GAA. 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  3. ^ "Wexford Senior Hurling V Tipperary Announced". Wexford GAA. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  4. ^ All-stars on camogie.ie
  5. ^ Irish Independent March 29 2010: Final goal for camogie
  6. ^ National Development Plan 2010-2015, Our Game, Our Passion information page on camogie.ie, pdf download (778k) from Camogie.ie download site

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wexford_GAA&oldid=384420883"