Before Bord na NOG started in 1970-71 each club did not have
under-age teams. There were teams in
the bigger clubs but players from the weaker ones played as group teams and
then it was only juvenile and minor.
Young player’s 17-18 years of age found it very difficult to break into
adult teams. This situation all changed
with the introduction of Bord na NOG with U12, U14, U16, and U18
championships. We in the ‘Island’ being
so few in numbers had to join with St. Fintans who were in the same situation
as ourselves. County Board granted
permission around 1972 and we have been together since. The ‘Island’ was very fortunate that a young
teacher Marjorie Molloy later McDonald came to teach here. From the day she arrived she took a great
interest in the young lads and still trains and coaches our U14, U16 and Minor
panels. Most of her spare time is spent
in the field with the youngsters. I
don’t think we would have had as much success without the time and effort
Marjorie McDonald puts in - few lady teachers take as much interest. Any success the under-age have had stems
from her efforts from the first 7 aside in 1973 to the minor championship in
1998.
During the early years the adult club looked after the under-age
with specific people looking after the underage teams. During the early 90’s Frank Rooney and
Liz Rooney ran the under-age section and it has to be said they gave a huge
amount of time to these youngsters.
In 1997 an official Bord na NOG Committee was established in Our
Lady’s Island G.A.A. Club. The people
voted on as officers were William Kinsella (Chairman), Liz Parrock (Secretary),
Ann Burke (Treasurer), Committee members: Kathleen Walsh, Mary Beatty, Patricia
Kinsella, Kathleen Maloney. The adult
committee gave them £500 to start up and since its formation the committee have
gone on from strength to strength.
In 1975 Our Lady’s Island captured the Wexford District Bord na NOG
Under 12 Football title, decisively beating St. Joseph’s by 6-3 to 1-2 in the
final. Team Captain Brian Meyler was in
fine shooting form, scoring 3-1 of the total. William White (Tucker) had a brilliant game at centre-back for
Our Lady’s Island but this was just one aspect of a marvellous sporting week
for this boy from Nineteen Acre, Broadway.
He was a member of the Kilrane Under 12 relay team which came second in
Bree sports on the previous Sunday: he cleared 4ft 3in on Wednesday in Wexford
Park to win the Under 12 High Jump in the rural schools sports; on Friday night
came the football win, but on Saturday William excelled himself at Bray to win
the Leinster Under-12 hurdles title. A
really memorable week for this fine young athlete. Infact many of the young lads from the area participated in
athletics when hurling and football was not available to them. They excelled for St. Pauls, Kilrane
winning many medals between them; some of the athletes were Kevin Mullins,
William Kinsella, William White, Pat Reville and Richard Kinsella. Another boy from the area, John Ellard of
Airdowns, Broadway was in goal for the Co. Wexford Under-14 hurling side who
played Kilkenny the week before.
1975
Panel: Jimmy Newport, Shane
Ellard, John Meyler, Sean Connick, Stephen Kehoe, Mark Cooper, Jim Keegan,
David Ellard, Brian Meyler (Capt.), David Maloney, William White, John Paul
Cullen, Patrick Walsh, Des Rowe, James Carroll
In 1981 the U12 panel won a District Football title and lost out
in the County final to Kilanerin at a match played at Bellefield. They also won an U12 District Hurling
Championship in the same year and went on to play Horeswood in the County Final
and came out County Winners of Roinn 2.
1981
Panel: Tony Wright, Fintan
Carroll, Thomas Goff, Patrick Burke, Sean Carroll, Tom Devereux, Paddy Moore,
Pat Sinnott, Nicky Doyle, Padraig Power, William Doyle, David Meyler (Capt.),
Kieran Newport, David Brady, Kevin Kehoe, Brendan Pettit, John Kelly
In 1982 the under-age footballers went onto win an U12 County
Football final at Wexford Park with a decisive win. They wore a new set of jerseys, which were presented by Sean
Devereux.
1982
Panel: Peter Dower, Martin Pettit,
Willy Doyle, Nicky Doyle, John Kelly, Raymond Doyle, Patrick Burke, Martin
O’Leary, Kieran Newport, Tucker Goff, Ted Casey, Kevin Kehoe, Declan Walsh,
Padraig Power, Jason Kelly
In 1992 James McDonald, Keith Rooney, Adrian Meyler and Nicholas Keane
won the Primary Schools Hurling skills final.
The talented quartet turned in a sterling display to finish a clear 25
points ahead of their nearest rivals in the overall schools final.
1992 Our Lady’s Island won the District U12 Championship. They had 2-point victory in the County
Semi-final beating Naomh Eanna (Gorey) 1-7 to 1-5. They went on to contest the County Final against Oulart however;
it wasn’t to be our day losing 2-7 to 2-1
1992 Panel: Jonathan Cheevers, Brian Boggan, Sean Carthy, Frankie
Corish, Keith Wallace, David Goff, Jamie Codd,
James McDonald, Keith Rooney
(Capt.), James Finn, Gary Walsh, Brian Walsh, Adrian Meyler, Gary Sinnott,
Jimmy Devereux.
Subs: Nicky Keane, Frankie
Corish (man of the match for his excellent defensive play), Jason Goff, Wayne
Cheevers, Mark Stafford, Barry Nolan, Jonathan Corish, Keith Hearne,
Mentors: Marjorie
McDonald, Eddie McDonald, Frank Rooney, and Pat Boggan
In 1993 we became U14 Hurling District Champions and County
Runners-up. We defeated Manageer-Boolavogue
3-6 to 0-1 to meet the Faythe Harriers in the County Final. Again we were to be the bridesmaids rather
than the bride by being narrowly beaten by the Faythe Harriers 1-6 to 2-2
1993
Panel: Jason Goff, Keith Wallace,
Sean Carthy, Francis Corish, James McDonald, Keith Rooney, Gary Walsh, David
Goff, James Finn (Capt.), Adrian Meyler, Jimmy Devereux, Paul Mullins, Jamie
Codd, Brian Walsh, Sean Murphy.
Subs: Brian Boggan, Jonathan
Corish, David Day, Gary Sinnott, Keith Hearne, Wayne Cheevers, Martin Walsh,
Liam Hayes, Jonathan
Cheevers
Mentors: Frank
Rooney, Pat Boggan, and Marjorie McDonald
In 1993 the Broadway School won its first Rackard League Hurling
final ever Beating Bannow-Ballymitty 3-7 to 1-4
1993
Panel: Wayne Cheevers, Kieran
Parrock, Keith Wallace, Mark Stafford, Mark Corish, Gary Walsh, David Day (Capt.),
Jamie Codd, James McDonald, Nicholas Keane, Alan Corish, Cathal Furlong, Alan
Goldsmith, Adrian Meyler,
Karl Hearne.
Subs: Martin
Walsh, John William Rowe, and Martin Thomas.
1994 the Juvenile team got through to the District final against
Clonard but were defeated.
In 1995 our U16 Football panel made their own bit of history
winning the District Football title at St. Martins G.A.A. Park they defeated
St. Josephs, Bishopswater in the final 1-13 to 0-7. Adrian Meyler scored a picture goal for Our Lady’s Island while
superb goalkeeper Wayne Lambert and Paul Mullins also played major roles in the
victory. They met Castletown in the
County Final losing out to 3-12 to 0-9
1995 Panel: Wayne Lambert, Sean Carthy, David Goff, Alan Boggan, Dillon
McMahon, Patrick Doyle, Jimmy Devereux,
Damien
O’Leary, Sam Finn, Niall Murphy, Keith Rooney, Paul Newport, Adrian Meyler,
Brian Walsh, Paul Murphy.
Subs: Paul
Mullins, Declan Moran, Johnny Cheevers, Frankie Corish, Eamonn Griffin, and
Jason Goff
Mentors: Frank
Rooney, Pat Boggan, and Robert Hayes
In 1996 we became U16 Hurling District Champions and County
Runners-up. We lost out to a County
Title by a stronger and bigger Bannow-Ballymitty side. The Island fullback line withstood enormous
pressure especially in the first half.
This was the fifth county under-age title the club had lost.
1996 panel: Jamie Codd, David Day, Sean Carthy, Francis Corish, Gary
Walsh, Keith Rooney, Alan Corish, James Finn,
Brian
Walsh, Jason Goff, Brian Boggan, David Goff, Adrian Meyler, Sean Murphy, Johnny
Cheevers,
Subs: Martin
Walsh, Keith Wallace, Adrian Murphy, Davey Corish, Damien Breslin, Nicky Keane,
John Sinnott,
Bernard
Murphy
1998 proved a busy year for Our Lady’s Island Bord na NOG. Many of our goals came to fruition and we
are happy that we have some lasting memories of 1998.
Our Under 12 football panel progressed extremely well in the
Championship. They played
Glynn-Barntown in the District Semi-Finals and won 0:10 to 0:07. In the District final they met Clonard and
won them 4:05 to 1:10 to become District Champions. The County Semi-final was held on October 3rd against
Duffry Rovers and ended up a draw 1:07 to 1:07. The replay was held on the 10th October and we were
beaten 1:08 to 0:08.
During 1998 Marjorie McDonald organised Under 8, Under 10 and
Under 11 games. Marjorie is to be complimented for her time and
dedication. Nurturing the children from
this age certainly makes the mentor’s job easier as these children progress
through the ranks.
One of our success stories for 1998 was our Under 10 hurler Ger
Burke who won the Wexford District Hurling Skills. He went onto the County finals and was beaten to 1st
place by a few points.
The minor team had a great season becoming District Champions
beating St. Anne’s 3:15 to 3:09. They
then went onto play Davidstown – C’Cuddy in the County Semi finals winning 2:11
to 1:09. A great County final was
witnessed against St. Patrick’s 3:08 to 3:07.
This was a great achievement for the parish as this was the first ever-Minor
title to be won in the club. We made
history in more ways than one, first ever for the parish and the first ever in
the history of the G.A.A. to be played in the opponent’s pitch and the first
time in a county final that no sub was used.
It was a tremendous contest despite the lateness of the year. Referee Nicholas Kehoe describing it as one
of the best games he has ever officiated at.
Full forward Adrian Meyler was in brilliant form contributing 2-5 to his
credit. Switching Sean Carthy from
centre forward to centre-half back was a match-winning move by Our Lady’s
Island as he repelled a number of menacing attacks in the final stages. Others to shine in this historic win for
Our Lady’s Island were Frankie Corish, Keith Rooney who contributed two very
valuable long range points, midfielders Sam Finn and Gary Walsh, Jamie Codd and
Adrian Murphy in attack. Team Captain
Keith Rooney was presented with the new Dan Green Memorial Cup, which was
donated by the Rathgarogue-Cushinstown club.
Dermot Howlin, Chairman of Loch Garman Bord na NOG presented the
cup. Credit must go to John Meyler,
Liam Pettit, Thomas Kelly, John Wright for the time and dedication they gave to
this minor team.
1998
Panel: John Walsh, Martin Walsh,
Francis Corish, David Day, Keith Wallace, Keith Rooney (Capt), David Goff, Sam
Finn, Gary Walsh, Jamie Codd, Sean Carthy, Jonathan Corish, Alan Corish, Adrian
Meyler, Adrian Murphy
Subs: Kieran
Parrock, Mark Stafford, David Corish, John Rowe, Damien Breslin, Nicky White,
John Sinnott,
Nicky
Keane, Victor Ormonde
Mentors: John
Meyler, Liam Pettit, Thomas Kelly, and John Wright
1998 COCA-COLA
FEILE NA nGAEL
In 1998 Wexford hosted Feile na nGael the last time this event was
held in Wexford was 1984. Wexford also
held the Feile for 1999; it will be another 10 –15 years before we see it
again. It was a wonderful year for
Wexford to host Feile na nGael as we were also celebrating the uprising of
1798.
What seemed a huge task to the committee when it first took over
the Bord na NOG role in Our Lady’s Island proved easier by the great support
from everyone concerned. The event
took off with the schools visitation and what an event that turned out to
be. I feel confident that the
Visitation Committee hadn’t experienced a welcome like they received at
Broadway. The children entertained the
visitors to a production of music and drama.
The Pikemen with the drum beating in the background sent a shiver down
my spine and I am sure other people felt the same. Before the visitors left a tree was planted from Bord na NOG to
commemorate the loss of our brothers and sisters in the 1798 rising.
Marjorie McDonald, Liz Parrock, Ann Burke, Mary Beatty, Kathleen
Walsh, Tina Maloney and Kathleen Maloney prepared the school hall with posters,
balloons and flags. It brought a
great atmosphere to the festivities.
John Meyler Feile Official, Joe Rooney, Pitch Official, William
Kinsella (who I don’t think slept for the week-end), Frank Rooney, Mick Meyler,
Declan Murphy all worked extremely hard in preparing the pitch. Balloons along the run into the pitch,
flags blowing in the breeze were a wonderful sight for all concerned.
Our Feile team didn’t have the most successful of tournaments, as
they were a very young team compared to their opponents. However, we did have one feather in our cap
as Leigh Aylward had great success in winning the County skills competition and
went on to represent Wexford in the All Ireland. While not winning he did his club and county proud.
Ballyduff the team we hosted were moved by the warm welcome they
received in Our Lady’s Island. Their
team got through to the finals but were beaten by Davidstown – C’Cuddy.
Rosslare Ship Repairs donated a set of jerseys for the Feile ‘98
team. We certainly got some looks when
we walked in the parade with Rosslare on our jerseys! Our Lady’s Island Adult club donated hurleys and grips for the
Feile team.
THE PRESIDENT OF
G.A.A. VISITS BROADWAY
Well this was one for the Club Album. Mr. McDonagh visited the school during Feile week (thanks to Mrs.
McDonald). The children gave him the
performance they had prepared for the Feile Officials. Mr. McDonagh returned the compliment and
sang for us all. Later the Bord na NOG
committee and children had their picture taken with Mr. McDonagh. Mr. McDonagh thanked everyone for inviting
him and he enjoyed his visit to Our Lady’s Island. The Bord na NOG committee served tea, sandwiches, cakes etc.
1999 proved a successful year for Our Lady’s Island Bord na NOG. I would have to start with the wonderful
success of our FEILE NA NGAEL team. The
grit and determination that these 14-year-olds showed during this campaign
could only prove what talent we have in our small community. They met fierce competition on their way to
the final. I don’t think anyone will
forget the matches they witnessed during that June weekend.
What an achievement for Our Lady’s
Island, our club just about managed to field a squad of 21 players in
comparison to De La Salle who had a pick of 150 players for this one age group!
The team gave their all, everyone from the Island could feel
nothing but immense pride for this young team.
The final scoreline did not justify the standard of play from Our Lady’s
Island. This was a marvellous contest
with Our Lady’s Island racing into a 2-2 to nil lead thanks to goals from Jason
Hawkins and Dylan Thomas. Even though
De Le Salle responded a further goal from Hawkins helped the island to a 3-2 to
2-3 interval lead. They lost their way
in the third quarter and trailed 3-7 to 3-3 before a great goal from Leigh
Aylward levelled matters again.
However, the more skilful Our Lady’s Island side were eventually
steamrolled in the closing minutes by a physically stronger De La Salle
(Waterford) side. Our lads certainly
proved hardy contenders for this formidable side.
Our
gallant squad of players were:
Michael Walsh James
Vaughan Gary Beatty
Liam
Kinsella (0-2) Eamon Maloney Jason Stafford (Capt)
Leigh
Aylward (1-1) Stephen Murphy Noel Dempsey (0-10)
Martin
Goggin Jason Hawkins
(2-0) Dylan Thomas (1-0)
Killian
Kinsella Paul Scallan Conor Sinnott
Joseph Wadding John
Wilson Keith Denton
Darragh Sinnott Ger
Burke Barry
Byrne
Mentors for this side were Marjorie McDonald and William Kinsella.
Kathleen Walsh who took a minibus of U16 players to walk in the
Feile Parade in place of the Feile Team.
After all their walking in the parade, the mini bus failed to pick them
up in Enniscorthy and some of the U16 players started to walk towards
Wexford. Luckily they were picked up by
a parishioner and arrived at the Community Centre safe and sound (but with very
sore feet!)
JUVENILE
(U16)
Our second 1999 success story was our
triumphant U16 hurling squad. This
team gave us hours of hurling enjoyment and near heart attacks. They met the Shelmaliers in the Semi-finals
and played excellent hurling. This win
seemed to take everyone by surprise, as the Shels were the hot favourites in
this group. The final score being Our
Lady’s Island 5-06 Shelmaliers 2-08
They met St. Anne’s in the District
Final, which was one humdinger of a match.
Brian Moore opened the scoring with a goal, followed by points from Ben
Murphy (free) and Leigh Aylward. Moore
followed with a point giving the Island a 1-3 to nil lead. Joe Codd (St. Anne’s) brought them back
into contention with 3 pointed frees on the trot. Ray Wickham (St. Anne’s) scored to bring the sides level. Noel Martin (St. Anne’s) drove home a
second goal and a Ray Wickham point left them ahead 2-4 to 1-3 at the
break. The second half was a ding-dong
struggle but it looked like St. Anne’s were doing enough to hold out until
Stephen Murphy broke through with an all-important goal. John Codd & Joe O’Connor notched points
for St. Anne’s. Accurate free taking
from John Walsh (0-2) and Noel Dempsey (0-1) for the Island embellished by
scores from play by Jason Stafford and Kieran Parrock who hit the target from
over 90 yards after being switched to centre back. They finished 2-8 to 2-8 everyone including the supporters were
physically exhausted after this wonderful contest.
Onto the replay which was held in
Rosslare Harbour. This game certainly brought
out the supporters hoping to witness the standard of play of the first match
and they were not to be disappointed.
Supreme display of long range free taking from Centre Back John Walsh
was a decisive factor in Our Lady’s Island winning the District title. We went in at the interval leading 0-8 to
0-4. Johnny Day hit the target in the
12th minute with the remaining Island points arriving from free
taken by John Walsh (0-4) and Ben Murphy (0-3). One point divided the sides with eight minutes to go (0-9 to
0-8) The Island pulled away in the closing minutes with Patrick Sinnott,
Stephen Murphy and Ben Murphy (free) scoring. We had finally managed to overcome all the adversity
regarding the fixture and came out on top showing again what determination we
breed within Our Lady’s Island. The
replay bridged a gap of three years by Our Lady’s Island capturing the AIB
Wexford District Juvenile Hurling Championship title. The final score Our Lady’s Island 0-12 St. Anne’s 0-9
Onto the County Semi-final against
Ballyfad in which we showed our supremacy from start to finish. We exercised near total control from the 7th
minute when Jason Stafford showed good composure to direct a through ball from
midfielder Bernard Murphy to the net.
John Walsh followed up with a point from a ’65 and although Ballyfad
tried hard they rarely seemed capable of breaching a strong Island rear
guard. Shane Sinnott scored in the 20th
minute followed by another from midfielder Stephen Murphy. A Leigh Aylward point stretched our lead at
half time to a commanding 3-2 to nil before Ballyfad finally got off the mark
with a point after 39 minutes. Patrick
& Shane Sinnott hit back with points for the Island. Ballyfad struck back with a further 2
points but the Island showed their superiority as they added 1-3 to their
tally. The goal was a superb effort
from Leigh Aylward winner of the County Under 14 Feile Skills title in
1998. He timed his run perfectly to
bat a Stephen Murphy cross to the net.
The final score being Our Lady’s Island 4-8 Ballyfad 0-3
Four weeks went by before we eventually
played the County Final meeting Horeswood.
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be our day.
The lads may have fallen at the last hurdle however; they gave wonderful
performances in their campaign to the County Final. Maybe if they hadn’t had to wait four weeks for the final it
could have been a totally different story.
The 1999 District Champions and County runners up panel
were:
Liam Kinsella Raymond Corish Kieran Parrock
Victor Ormonde David Corish John
Walsh (Capt.)
Eamon Maloney Stephen Murphy Bernard
Murphy
Noel Dempsey Johnny Day Patrick
Sinnott
Jason Stafford Brian Moore Leigh
Aylward
Subs: Shane Sinnott, Richard
Rowe, Damien Murphy,
Christopher
Murphy, Loman Dunne, James Vaughan,
Michael
Walsh
Mentors were Kevin Kehoe, Padraig Power
and Keith Rooney.
A word of appreciation must go to
Marjorie McDonald who stepped in late in play to help the above mentors in a
training capacity.
COUNTY
SKILLS CHAMPIONS
Yet again our hurlers came to the
forefront by coming first in the County Skills competition. The team consisted of the following
players:
Liam Kinsella Ger Burke
Alan Kinsella Gavin Kelleher
The Under 14 hurling team reached the
County Semi-Finals, which was played on the 19th July. Unfortunately the hard matches they had
faced during the Feile took their toll and we lost out to the Rapparees by one
point. Finale scoreline Our Lady’s
Island 4-06 Rapparees 4-07
During 1999 our Under 14 footballers
gave a good showing in the championship beating Blackwater to go ahead to the
District Final. They met the
Volounteers in the final but unfortunately just lost out to a more physically
strong side. Mentors: William Kinsella, Pat Rossiter (St.
Fintans)
Well the build up to the County Final
was like Wexford in the All-Ireland.
Liz Parrock, Elaine White making flags, printing tee-shirts etc.,
Saturday was looming close, Friday night a distress call from Elaine, bring down
more blue bin bags, staples etc., to the community centre. Well I couldn’t believe my eyes G.A.A. had
taken over the Youth Club. The place
was awash with Blue and White and what an atmosphere it was just
brilliant. Players mucking in making pom-
poms, flags, banners and grass skirts.
Yes Blue and White grass skirts modelled to perfection by the delectable
Jason White (he’ll kill me). Davy
Corish making little jerseys with his number on to stick on banners – what a
work of art! They all pulled together
on the field and off.
Many
of our young players have played for their County namely:
In 1976 John
Ellard won a Leinster Hurling Medal with Wexford.
Over the years
at U14 level Keith Rooney, James McDonald, Noel Dempsey, Jason Stafford,
Stephen Murphy
Gary Walsh was
picked for the County Minor panel.
The following
players have won Leinster Voc. School medals over the last few years with
Bridgetown Voc. School: Damien O’Leary, Keith Rooney, Jonathan Cheevers, Jimmy Devereux,
Adrian Meyler, Francis Corish, Gary Walsh, Nicky White, Damien Breslin, Davy
Corish, Alan Corish.
Titles we have won:
1975 U12 District Football
Champions
1981 U12 District Football
Champions
1981 U12 District Hurling
Champions
1981 U12 County Hurling
Champions
1982 U12 District Football
Champions
1982 U12 County Football
Champions
1992 U12 District Hurling
Champions
1992 U12 County Hurling
Runners-up
1992 Skills Champions
1993 U14 District Hurling
Runners-up
1995 U16 District Football
Champions
1995 U16 County Football
Runners-up
1996 U16 District Hurling
Champions
1996 U16 County Hurling
Runners-up
1996 All Ireland Feile
Skills Champion
1998 District Minor Hurling
Champions
1998 County Minor Hurling
Champions
1998 U12 District Football
Champions
1998 County Skills Champions
1998 U10 District Skills
Champion
1999 U14 All Ireland Feile
Hurling Runners-up
1999 U16 District Hurling
Champions
1999 U16 County Hurling
Runners-up
1999 U14 District Football
Runners-up
1999 County Hurling Skills
Champions