EVER SINCE THE establishment of the GAA the national games have always flourished in the parish of Taghmon and more junior football championship titles (1915, 1916, 1927, 1939, 1945, 1949, and 1954) have been won by clubs from the parish than any other parish in the county.

In addition two county junior hurling titles (1942 and 1949) and three senior football championships 1955, '57, '58 and one under 12 football c'ship (1976) have been captured by clubs from the parish. Thus, it is easy to understand that Gaelic games have been very much part and parcel of the lives of the people from the parish. At one stage in the early fifties four separate clubs Taghmon, Camross, Tomcoole and Trinity fielded junior football teams in the championship while in 1946 two separate senior football clubs Camross and Taghmon - lined out in the senior championship with Camross reaching the county final. No other rural parish in the county could boast of two teams contesting the senior championship.

The first championship to come to the parish was the 1915 junior football championship won by Taghmon who included such brilliant exponents as Skipper Codd, Rob Brerton, Billy Martin and Jim Kehoe. They retained their title the following year 1916. Team captain Skipper Codd ruled that team with an iron hand and his word on all matters was law. The team trained two and three times per week and in Winter time they assembled in Taghmon and ran on the roads to Larkins Cross and back. There was no absentees either. There were many characters on that team also and one learned over the years to have enormous respect for each and every one of them. Full forward Billy Martin, a small man, won many a match with second half goals by simply staying in his position at the edge of the square and waiting patiently for the ball to come to him while backs and forwards all round him moved up the field with the play. To old timers in the parish, there was no full forward in Ireland as good as Billy Martin and his stature grew with the passing years. In 1927 Trinity Stars, a team formed by Rev. Martin Murphy C.C. and drawn from the Trinity and Taghmon areas won the county junior football championship defeating Slaney Rovers in Wexford Park in the final in November.

The team was: P. Crowley (goal), Ned Quirke, John Hillis, Ned Cleary, Jim Boggan, Mick Lynam, Bill Parle, John Colfer, Pat Codd, Phil Parle, Dick Cleary, Watt Murphy, Matty Parle, W. (Skipper) Codd, Paddy Culleton, Jimmy Kelly. SUBS: Billy Martin, Murt Cooper, W. Hillis. Officials were Ned Rochford (Chair-man), Charlie Fitzhenry (Secretary), Jim Kehoe, Watt Murphy, P.J. Cullen (Selectors), Phil Pane (Vice-Chairman).

Three of that team - Skipper Codd, Phil Parle and John Codd - Wexford team that lost by one point to Dublin in the 1928 Leinster junior final while a fourth Taghmon player Garda Fergus Coughlan (now New Ross) figured at full-back on the Wexford team and lined out immediately afterwards for Wexford in the Leinster senior final which Dublin won by a small margin.

Incidentally one of the heroes of that 1927 team - Jimmy "Chissler" Kelly went to sea a short time afterwards and after sailing many times around the world came back in 1947 to become the hero of Taghmon's one point victory over Ballymitty in the junior football championship first round at Knockbine Ballymitty. Playing centre-half-forward Jimmy earned the biggest cheer of the day when he sent over the winning point from fifty yards from play.

Exactly twelve years after 1939 another junior football championship came to the parish when Camross trained by the late Tommy Murphy one of the greatest Gaels ever to come out of the parish and in whose memory the Tommy Murphy Memorial Cup perpetuates, defeated a strong Ballyhogue side in final.

The Camross team was: Aidan Morrissey (Captain), John Morrissey (gl), Jimmy Kelly, Harry Hogan, Bill Walsh, Dan Nolan, Jim Walsh, Pat Parle, Micky Quigley, Jimmy McDonagh, Bobby Martin, Ger Kelly, Tom Cogley, Paddy Banville, Jim Torsney, Jackie Culleton, Willie Kelly and Paddy Culleton.

Incidentally Paddy and Jack Culleton B.D.S. (later a Leinster and Wexford star) were father and son. Hard working secretary of the Camross Club at the time was Jim Sullivan.

Camross brought the first hurling championship to the parish with a 9- 3 to 2-2 win over Oylegate in the 1942 junior hurling championship final which was played in Wexford Park on the 22nd November 1942. Line out was Tom Cogley, Jimmy Kelly, J. Doyle, Tom Morrissey, John O'Reilly, Bill Walsh, Pat Parle, Ger Kelly, Jack Banville, Aidan Morrissey, Paddy Banville, Dan Nolan, Micky Quigley, Tommy Banville, and V. J. Whitty.

All through the forties Camross were a powerful senior football side that many times were denied the highest honours by a single score. They were an outstanding group of men totally committed to the game and to their club while they boasted of a huge fanatical following that included hundreds beyond the confines of their own parish. It was a real tragedy that this fine group of athletes did not win at least one senior championship. Whenever they tasted defeat the "sting" was felt by every man, woman and child in that end of the parish and a state of mourning usually followed, lasting for several days and even weeks. I remember well in the forties after one narrow and cruel defeat in a senior final or semi-final visiting several houses in the Modubeg and Kilgarvan areas and the talk everywhere was about the "national disaster" - the defeat of Camross. Reference time and again was made to the very bad performance given by one member of the Camross team that day and he was obviously affected by the occasion being unable to hold the ball many times. But one woman summed it all up so well when stating "he was like a man trying to catch cowdirt".

Championship success was again tasted in the parish in 1945 when a grand young side trained and managed by Nicky Brady who was also their secretary won the county junior football championship defeating Ballinglen by two points in the final on a re-play at Bellefield, Enniscorthy in March (drawn game was played in November 1945). Hundreds of followers from the parish travelled to this game by bicycle, horse and pony cart and some even walked. The Taghmon team was: Paddy Codd (gl), Mick Nash, Bill Walsh, Harry Hogan, Jimmy Murphy, Jimmy Doyle, Jim Walsh (Capt.), Johnny Nash, Tom Crosbie, John Doyle, Charlie Culleton Bobby Martin, Mick Walsh, Johnny Quigley, Peter Doyle. Also Nick Butler, a baker at Williams Bakery, (who captained Wexford in 1937 All-Ireland minor final), Dermot O'Donnell (both of whom played in drawn game) Jack Sinnott, Willie Sidney, Pat Murphy.

In 1947 for the first time in the history of the parish, two senior football teams Taghmon and Camross - contested the senior championship - a happening that I would be unbelievable today but one which illustrated the strength of football in the parish at the time. This was a time also when Wexford was one of the strongest football counties in Ireland. Again as luck would have it Taghmon and Camross met in the first round of the 1947 senior championship at Wexford Park. The parish was deserted for this titanic struggle which ended in a three point win for the more experienced Camross side. The latter then went on to reach the county final before I going under by a single score to holders Gusserane.

Camross and Taghmon united for the 1947 senior football championship and I in the first round held champions Gusserane to a draw, a game they literally threw away. They lost the re-play and after failing to Ballymitty in the first round of the c'ship in 1948 they went their separate ways again having failed to knit together. On their own in 1949 Camross brought off the junior double winning both football and hurling championships. In a re-play the footballers defeated Castletown by 1-4 to 04 at Gorey with the following team: Jim Morrissey (Captain), Ted Morrissey, Paddy, Lar, Tommy and Matt Banville, Pat Pane, John Keane, Dan Nolan, Jim Walsh, Johnny Quigley, John Doyle, Matt Fanning, Jim Curran, Charlie Culleton. The junior hurling team which scored a 10-3 to 0-8 win over Caim-Kiltealy at Wexford Park was as follows: S. Donnelly (goal), T. Donnelly, Paddy and Matt Banville, John Doyle, Dan, Ted and Jim Morrissey, Jimmy White, Joe Whitty, John Keane, Jim Curran, Lar and Tommy Banville, Jack O'Reilly.

The following year 1950 Camross marched on to the county senior football championship final but lost to St. Aidans, Enniscorthy at Wexford Park. They also went under to St. Aidans in the 1951 semi-final after a re-play with the Enniscorthy side then going on to retain their title. That was the last big effort that Camross made at winning the senior championship and by a strange co-incidence it was the last time that the senior football championship went to Enniscorthy town. Football was tremendously strong in the parish at the time and with Camross unable to cater for all the available talent, new clubs were formed in Trinity, Taghmon and Tomcoole.

In 1953 Camross had a good senior team and also a junior side. Tomcoole unluckily went under to Rosslare in the District junior c'ship semi-final. Taghmon also went out narrowly to Sarsfields in the District semi-final. Sarsfields who became the county champions and Trinity got to the second round of the District championship. Around that time and for several years beforehand the most popular rural venue in the county was a field at Aughnagan, Trinity owned by Jas Codd a former Army Officer. Indeed, Mr. Codd together with his helpers stewarded that ground better than any venue in Ireland, with no one only the players allowed onto the pitch which was enclosed by a wire railing. Exceptionally large crowds attended this venue with the very colourful Mr. Codd enhancing his reputation year by year. "Sweet Aughnagan" was on everybody's lips in those days.

A seven hour meeting in early 1954 saw Taghmon and Tomcoole unite under the name St. Munn's and this amalgamation proved a real success for St. Munn's went on to beat Castletown after a re-play in the 1954 county junior football championship final at Bellefield, Enniscorthy. The St. Munn's team was: Mick Cullen (gl), Mick Nash, Andy Doyle, Jim Walsh, Pat Fanning, John Ryan, Mick Dunne, Maurice Doyle, Larry Murphy, Des Walsh, Tommy Ryan, Martin Ryan, John Quigley, Pierce Ryan, and Seamus Ryan. Subs: Seamus Seery, F. Rooney, Nick Sinnott. Due to injury Dick Murphy, one of the stars of the team who was also club secretary, was unable to play.

Then before the 1955 championship, Rev. Fr. Michael Byrne C.C., a real driving force behind the St. Munn's Club, did the almost impossible. He united the parish and thus when St. Munn's lined out in the 1955 senior football championship they were represented by the best talent in the parish. They made history too for on the 15th April 1956 at Bellefield, Enniscorthy before 3,500 spectators they had a resounding 4- 5 to 1-5 win over hot favourites Ferns in the county final, thus bringing the first ever senior title to the parish. Referee was Paddy Roche, Rosslare the former County Secretary. The St. Munn's Team was: Mick Cullen (gl), John Doyle, Andy Doyle. Jim Walsh, Pat Fanning, Billy Donohoe, Mick Dunne, Jim Morrissey, John Ryan, Mick Ryan, Larry Murphy, Dick Murphy, Des Walsh, Con Duggan, Tommy Ryan. SUBS: Maurice Doyle, came on in second half. Also Johnny Quigley and Seamus Seery. Incidentally Jim and Des Walsh were father and son and they also excelled in the 1954 junior triumph. The team was expertly trained for this final by Jackie Culleton B.D.S. Hotly fancied to win out again in 1956 they failed when under strength to Ballyhogue in the semi- final.

However they were back again to win the 1957 county senior title defeating St. Mary's, Enniscorthy by 0-9 to 0-5 in the final at Wexford Park in November 1957 with the following team: Fintan Doyle (gl), Pat Fanning, Andy Doyle (Capt.) John Ryan, Dick Murphy, Willie Foley, Mick Dunne, Maurice Doyle, Jim Morrissey, Mick Foley, Seamus Keevans, Mick Ryan, Con Duggan, Larry Murphy, John Doyle. SUBS: Nick Redmond, Jim Dyce, Paddy Doyle. St. Munn's retained their senior title in 1958. Line out was: Fintan Doyle (gl), Pat Fanning, Andy Doyle, Maurice Doyle, Dick Murphy, Seamus Keevans, Mick Dunne, Jim Morrissey, Con Duggan, Murt Walsh, Willie Foley, Mick Ryan, John Ryan, Larry Murphy, John Doyle. Sub Sgt Sean O'Connell who was also team trainer came on as a sub in the second half. Incidentally four of the above team, John Ryan, Mick Ryan, Andy Doyle and Seamus Keevans figured on the Wexford senior football team which reached the Leinster championship final in 1956. The 1958 senior championship was the last county adult championship to be brought to the parish. Camross reached the 1959 junior and 1960 Intermediate hurling championship finals while Taghmon/Camross qualified for the 1973 county Intermediate football championship final. All three were unsuccessful however.

Jim Morrissey a great dual player was one of the stars of Wexford's 1955-56 All-Ireland senior hurling championships while his brother Ted also figures prominently in those memorable victories. Noel O'Gorman won an All-Ireland Intermediate hurling championship with Wexford. Scores of men over the years represented Wexford at intercounty level that it would be almost impossible to recall them all. Jack Culleton excelled as a wing back on the Wexford team which won the 1945 Leinster senior football championship while he was wing back on the 1946 Leinster Railway Cup team. Andy Doyle was full back on the 1959 Leinster football team which won the Railway Cup while Jim Morrissey figured for many years on the Leinster Railway Cup hurling team. Joe Foley had the rare honour of being chosen on the Leinster Railway Cup hurling and football teams. Seamus Keevans too was honoured by the Leinster Railway Cup football selectors. Jack Fane a prominent Taghmon club man in the thirties played for Leinster Railway Cup football team in 1933 and I 934.

Under age teams from the parish rarely made a big impression. In 1948 two schoolboys after going around the streets cap in hand seeking pennies and halfpennies got the required affiliation fee of 14/6p and entered a juvenile football team. With Nicky Brady in control they reached the District final only to lose by a point to Young Irelands in the District final. Team was: Mick Cullen (gl), Johnny Furlong, Leo Jones, Peter Lennon, Paddy Donovan, Andy Doyle, Pat Fanning, Phil Kelly, Doughlas Wilson, Paddy "Sim" Murphy, Paddy O'Brien, Seamus Ryan, Murt Walsh, Phil Doyle, Johnny Donovan.

The following year with players like John, Jim and Tommy Ryan, Tony Leahy, Paddy Reilly, etc. coming on to the team, they reached the county final only to lose by two points to Starlights in the county final at Wexford Park. Nicky Brady, however, maintained that had his three college players been available Taghmon would have "walked it". Nine of the above team later emigrated to England. Taghmon reached the 1956 juvenile final against Starlights fixed for Wexford Park in late December 1957. Torrential rain fell all day and only half the Taghmon team turned up and a walk over had to be conceded.

In 1971 Ballymitty/Taghmon won the county juvenile football championship defeating Starlights by twelve points in the final. Four players from Taghmon parish, John Sullivan, Robert O'Connor, Donie O'Brien and Liam Morrissey figured prominently in that victory while John Coady and James Whitty were included in the substitutes. Mainly through the trojan efforts of Dominic Williams, Eddie Dunne N.T. John Hayes, Paddy O'Gorman and company, Taghmon captured the 1976 county under 12 Bord na n-Og football championship. The same players helped their club to capture the 1978 under 14 New Ross District championship and many of that team figured on the Ballymitty/Taghmon side which qualified for the 1980 county juvenile football c'ship semi- final. With such players coming along the future looks bright. At under age level through the efforts of Dominic Williams, Eddie Dunne N.T., Dan Flaherty N.T., etc. excellent work is being done to produce stars of the future and the club owes much to these enthusiasts. With players like Pat Murphy, the many times Wexford All-Ireland handball champion and Wexford county player, Jim and Liam Morrissey, Donie O'Brien, Matt and Laurence Banville, Noel O'Gorman, John and Eric Sullivan, Sean Sinnott, Timmy Barnwell, Pat Leacy, Olly Somers, Ger Kelly, Paddy Byrne, Michael O'Gorman and Turlough O'Brien sharing in the triumphs Taghmon/Camross have captured the New Ross District Intermediate football championship and the Tommy Murphy Memorial Cup for the past three years turning in some super performances in the process.

Indeed there are many in the parish who are convinced that if the Tommy Murphy Cup was the prize for the county Intermediate football championship that Taghmon/Camross would have won it long ago for they seem to gain inspiration from some hidden quarter when battling for the Tommy Murphy Cup. This is understandable of course as the late Tommy Murphy was one of the best Gaels ever to come out of the parish.

Perhaps the club might in the near future present a Tommy Murphy Cup also for the County Intermediate championship. Through the efforts of Skibbereen-born Sgt Sean O'Connell (now in Ennis is Co Clare) and his committee, a first class Gaelic pitch was purchased and developed in Taghmon, while a covered-in handball alley was also built. Since then new dressingrooms have been built in the Gaelic park while the Gaels of the parish are playing their part in the latest big venture the New Community Centre - designed to help young and old in the parish in many different ways in the years ahead.

In 1978 three players from the parish, John O'Gorman, Brendan Doyle and Barry McGrath figured on the Wexford team managed and trained by Dominic Williams which reached the Leinster under 14 football championship final.

Present New Ross District Chairman is John Hayes while Andy Doyle is a county senior football selector. Present Club Officials are John Hayes (Chairman), Matt Banville (Secretary), Aidan Morrissey, etc. They are all working hard to keep the Gaelic games active and flourishing in the parish and are very conscious of the fact that the last adult championship to come to the parish was the 1958 senior football championship.

But with good players coming up the ranks one could confidentially predict that another county championship will come to the parish long before the end of the eighties. What is missing nowadays is the commitment and dedication of the players of the forties and fifties who were then tops in the county. So what about it players of today.