The newly extended Taghmon-Camross GAA community centre was officially opened by Hugh Byrne TD, Minister of State for the Marine and Natural Resources and by Seamus Howlin, Chairman of GAA Wexford County Board and PRO of Leinster Council on Sunday afternoon last. After the unveiling of the plaque the extended building was blessed by Fr Denis Brennan, PP of Taghmon and Reverend Ron Graham from Gorey. The opening party then moved to a temporary viewing platform beside the pitch which was looking in immaculate condition. Chairman of Wexford GAA Bord na nÓg, clubman Michael Stafford welcomed the crowd and thanked God for blessing the club with a fine day. He praised all those who strove to get the club facilities into such good condition.

Club chairman, Denis Nolan, addressed the crowd. He praised the efforts of the original Community Centre Committee who built the original complex in the late 1970’s. He complimented Paddy Nolan and Seán McGee and their team for having the grounds in immaculate condition. He thanked Sgt. Dan Redmond for order on the day and the teams for participating, especially the George O’Connor All-Star team which was assembled at short notice.

After Denis, Hugh Byrne spoke. He thanked the club for the invitation and conveyed Minister Jim McDaid’s good wishes. He recounted the time he brought a delegation of Denis, Noel and Eoin O’Gorman, Andy Doyle, Bridget Molloy and Derek Kent to visit the minister when the club was seeking lottery funds. He said that no club deserved the funding more and it was likely that the club would be seen in a good light if seeking money for further development. He noted the improvement in the facility since the time he played on the pitch many years ago.

Minister Byrne was followed on the stand by Seamus Howlin. He conveyed the good wishes of Seamus Aldridge, Chairman of Leinster Council, who was unable to attend due to being at Croke Park on the day. He recounted a time when Minister Byrne had taken lumps off him at a match in Fethard many years ago. He asked all those in attendance to continue to support the club. It costs £20-25k to run a GAA club each year. The core of the GAA is the people who work so much in a voluntary capacity to run things. The GAA is owed a lot by the country. It will not go cap in hand looking for money. The money the GAA gets is deserved and the facilities in Taghmon are an example for all. He praised Derek Kent for getting George O’Connor out of retirement to manage the All-Star team, something no-one else has managed.

Jimmy Curtis, the Chairman of Wexford County Council spoke next. He praised the club and offered whatever assistance the county council could offer. At this stage a presentation of statues was made to Messrs Byrne and Howlin. The minister pointed out that the statue was of a Pikeman, not of a Fethard hurler. Minister Byrne and Chairman Curtis had to leave for another engagement. Fr Brennan spoke on behalf of the clergymen and praised the club for providing a facility that is a focus for young people. Councillor Pat Codd thanked the minister for his support. Last on the stand was Noel O’Gorman who spoke on behalf of the original community centre committee. He said this committee was a link between the group in the 50’s who bought the land for the pitch, at a time when few club’s owned their own, and the current dedicated committee who have added so much to the facility. He remembered the two of the old committee no longer with us, Dr Derry McDermott and Aidan Morrissey, and wished that they could have seen this fruition of the seed that they sowed. He praised the ladies who are involved now in the club for their efforts. He wished other clubs who have viewed our facility the best as they redevelop their own.

Michael Stafford wound up proceedings. He noted that three Taghmon-Camross clubmen chair county committees. Besides himself Noel is chairman of the discipline committee and Denis is chairman of the regrading committee. He praised Mai O’Sullivan, May Buttimer and Ulick Stafford who had put the souvenir booklet together for their efforts and all those who advertised in it for their support. He thanked Jim Ferguson and him men for doing the gate and said that there was no better man for this.

The formalities were than over and the match proceeded between Wexford and the George O’Connor All-Star selection refereed by Dickie Murphy. Willie Wickham provided entertaining commentary throughout. The match was won by the more settled Wexford team by 3-22 to 1-12. The All-Star team was put together at the last minute. Clubman and Junior All-Ireland medal winner, Robbie O’Callaghan, played well for the All-Stars. After the senior match Wexford’s minor hurling team played Cork in Challenge match. The Wexford team, which four year ago won the Tony Forrestal Shield (All-Ireland U-14), played well and won by 2-17 to 2-11. Clubman Darren Colfer played at corner back.

Two more matches were played later. ACFL encounters between Taghmon-Camross first team and Duffry Rovers and the juniors and Clongeen took place. Taghmon lost the former but won the latter. A lot of the crowd stayed for the full duration and festivities continued into the night in the clubhouse. Overall it was a great celebration for the club. The crowd of around 1,000 was well entertained on the day.