I plan on going to this to try get a tfk interview with some of these legends and invite Liam Dunne to be one of our guests at the official launch of the site! I think it’ll be a cracking evening as I am always in awe when Griffin speaks, the inspirational fook. The guy Moses Morrissey makes a few dodgy points though - as one guy on An Fear Rua said, ‘what the fook has Anne Doyle reading the news and Gerry Fleming talking about the weather on RTE got to do with Wexford arresting their decline in hurling?’
They say night is darkest just before the dawn, and for Wexford GAA supporters the past year has been a black one. With the county’s hurlers suffering crushing defeats to Kilkenny and Clare at senior and crashing out famously to Carlow at minor level. While in football the minors were beaten by Kilkenny and the Under -21’s trashed by Westmeath.
Yes, only 10 years on from that celebrated win in 1996, during hurling’s “Revolution Years,” and Wexford’s stock looks to be at an all time low!
There are however rays of hope, and a number of Wexford supporters based in the Capital, have come together to organise a unique event, determined to be part of the counties rehabilitation to the big time.
Encouragingly over the summer Wexford hurling teams won the All Ireland U-14 title and the U-16 Shield, beating stiff opposition including Kilkenny and Cork along the way. Meanwhile the recent appointment of Wexford legend, Georgie O’Connor, as director of Hurling and the purchase of a new 30 acre site for a “Centre of Excellence” have proved that things may well be on the up.
On the 30th of November in the Stillorgan Park Hotel in Dublin at 8.00pm a gathering of Wexford people will be addressed by former All Ireland winning manager and successful businessman, Liam Griffin.
A contingent of the 1996 winning team will be in attendance on the night including, Liam Dunne, Georgie O’Connor, Rory McCarthy, Tom Dempsey and Billy Byrne. County footballing and hurling stars, Philip Wallace, Diarmuid Kinsella and Ciaran Deely and Des Mythen, PJ Nolan along with members of the Camogie and Ladies Football teams are all expected on the night too.
Chairman of the Wexford Supporters club in Dublin, Moses Morrissey said he expected, “a wide spectrum of the Wexford community based in Dublin to attend” and that “the night is an opportunity to meet new and make contact with old friends”.
He went on to say that, “Wexford people have achieved unprecedented success in recent years and this is an opportunity to celebrated this.” Citing Ann Doyle and Gerry Flemming of RT. Jim Bolger, Aidan O’Brien and Colm Murphy in horse racing, Gordon D’arcy and Kevin Doyle in international sport and Wexford first All Star footballer, Mattie Forde as examples.
In the arts, Padraig Delaney, recent star of the Wind that Shakes the Barley, Garret Lombard and Gary Lydon of RTs Pure Mule, and writers like Colm Tobn, Eoin Colfer, Billy Roche and Booker Prize Winner John Banville.In the world of business the likes of Mick Wallace, Sam McCauley and Bert Allen have all kept the purple and gold flying high.
Its hoped that the Supporters Club can act as a focus for all Wexford exiles in Dublin and bring together Wexford people from all walks of life including business, sport and the arts. It is hoped that the success and energy of these individuals can be harnessed and used to inspire the counties resurgence to the top table and to All Ireland Glory.
Moses Morrissey concluded by saying, “I urge all Wexford people and supporters of Wexford to come along, have a drink and a bite to eat and enjoy what promises to be the first of many great nights.”
Contacts:
Ben Healy - 086 4049435 Email: ben_healy@ireland.com
Eoin McCarthy 087 6561485 Email: eoin.m.mccarthy@gmail.com
Joe Carroll 087 7947657 Email: carrollj@icai.ie
Background:
The Wexford GAA Supporters Club, Dublin branch was formed in 1990 and has channeled tens of thousands into Wexford hurling and football over the years. More recently the club has been the main sponsor for the county Under 16, Under 17 and Minor hurling teams. This is an investment in the future health of the game in Wexford and has allowed team mentors to prepare well and without having to worry about the financial constraints. This year’s mentors include, Liam Dunne, Joe Kearns and Tom Dempsey and the club are confident they can play their part in bringing success back to Wexford at the underage level.