I look forward to seeing you all in the clubhouse on Saturday night for what promises to be a magical occasion:
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SARSFIELDS LAUNCH - GO ON THE BUTTERS HISTORY OF CLUB
SARSFIELDS G.A.A. club will celebrate a special milestone in their PĆ”irc Charman clubhouse on Saturday night next with the launch of āGo On The Buttersā.
This lavishly-illustrated 584-page book charts the history of the Wexford town outfit with strong roots in the Carrigeen Street, Thomas Street and Bride Street area since its original inception in 1907.
The title refers to the clubās nickname which originated in the late 1920s, and the content is jam-packed with accounts of the many memorable games played at all levels of football, along with the personalities who worked so hard to keep Sarsfields to the forefront down through the years.
The book has been researched and written by club P.R.O., Alan Aherne, and itis available for ā¬20. The author has dedicated the finished product to the late Jim Crowley, one of the greatest Sarsfields clubmen of them all who sadly passed away one month ago after a brave battle with illness.
The attractive cover features photographs from the clubās five Senior championship successes, with squad shots of the double winners of 1934 and ā35 plus the 1984 victors along with the trophy presentations from 1961 and1967.
G.A.A. President Christy Cooney, who visited PĆ”irc Charman for the openingof Sarsfieldsā new facilities last October, has penned a foreword, while there are special features on some clubmen who reached great heights invarious fields such as Olympic boxing hero Billy Walsh, the late Jimmy Roche who served as Co. Chairman and Leinster Council Chairman, and football greats of the past such as Jack Crowley, Davy Morris and Paco Sheehan.
As well as dealing with the fortunes of the club in chronological order since 1907, there are interesting chapters on the brief flirtation with hurling and childhood memories of Harveyās Field from the early 1950s,
involvement in ScĆ³r, the development of facilities, and the ladiesā section which was resurrected again last year for the first time since 1993.
There is a page devoted to Patrick Sarsfield, after whom the club is named, and an interesting look at the Census returns for 1911 with a special focuson Carrigeen Street and its inhabitants at the time.
The close links with the St. Patrickās Fife and Drum Band in the early years are explored, while another piece focuses on the other clubs bearing the Sarsfields name throughout the country. The men who served Sarsfields as referees are also featured, while the author has re-produced his tribute to the late SeĆ”n Siggins, known to one and all as āThe Chiefā, who left a big void with his death in the clubās centenary year in 2007.
The book also includes one of the most comprehensive records sections ever seen in a publication of this nature. As well as listing officers and committee members, it gives a complete record of every appearance made by a Sarsfields clubman with Wexford in all grades of football from Senior to Minor - listing dates and results, plus playing position and score recorded where available.
Amazingly, the first committee to research the history was formed as far back as 1983, so there is a great sense of relief and satisfaction in equal measure that the project has finally been completed some 27 years later. And thanks to the generosity of the bookās patrons, the full-colour production is completely free of advertising.
The author is honoured that one of the clubās finest sons, the aforementioned Billy Walsh, is making a special effort to travel home from a training camp in Donegal to perform the official launch. It is timed for 7.30 p.m. on Saturday next, and the event is open to all.
Special invites have been extended to successful club teams in years ending with a ā0ā - the 1959 Juniors who won the championship in 1960, the 1979 Intermediates who did likewise in 1980, the last Minor-winning side of 30 years ago, and the sole victorious Under-14 FĆ©ile squad of 1990 who represented Sarsfields in the All-Ireland finals in Galway.
The night is aimed at celebrating all that is good about this famed Wexford town club, and those present are advised to purchase the history book quickly as the print run is limited.
Anyone unable to attend who would like a copy, or indeed anyone in need of any further information, may contact Alan Aherne on 087-9217766 or e-mail alan.aherne@peoplenews.ie or alanahernesars@gmail.com.
