Family ties make the club scene so special in Wexford

THE FAMILY UNIT unit has always stood out for the unique contribution it makes to the G.A.A. It is the one aspect that encapsulates what the Association really represents. We have so often heard of the family unit at inter-county level, but it just does not stop there, as it is even more prevalent when one comes down to the club, particularly at this time of the season when the excitement of the county championships reach fever pitch.

There is also something special about a team, a band of brothers, when they take centre stage with the club.

It even stretches further when the DNA is tracked back to the parents and grandparents, all of whom have made huge contribution both on and off the pitch, with many still involved in some form with their club be it as an officer, mentor or working behind the scenes.

Sometimes it’s often a forgotten aspect of the Association, the driving force they are behind the club, and it’s always fascinating to see the excitement of parents and grandparents on that special day.

Whether it’s an under-age or adult final, they take particular pride in seeing their contribution to their club in the quest for glory. Few other sports come close to matching this.

The games that I have covered allowed me revisit many of the clubs’ past, their good and bad days, but the family names continue to sprout up, which makes for some fascinating memories.

It was in St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday morning that it first came to my attention that the family name is still prevalent on team sheets. I was reporting on the Cloughbawn versus Oulart-The Ballagh Wexford People Minor hurling Roinn 1 final.

There was so much on offer in this game. Cloughbawn, sprinkled with legendary names, sprung from the traps to shock the favourites, Oulart-The Ballagh.

One could appreciate the pride and excitement it brought to the club, as only one hour earlier they had won the New Ross Standard Under-13 Division 4 hurling title.

As ever, one has to be indebted to those people who provide so much information, so it was no surprise that a loyal supporter and friend, Seamus Walsh, brought me back over the family history of those on the teamsheet.

On the Cloughbawn side we had Liam Flood at midfield, son of 1996 All-Ireland winner, Seánie, partnered by Eanna Doyle, son of Norma (Flood), both grandsons of the legendary Tim Flood, Wexford’s finest corner-forward of the fifties and early sixties, and they adorned centre stage with displays of real quality.

In the half-back line were brothers Darragh and Shane Kehoe, sons of Martin, both real prospects for the future, while a new name to watch for is Patrick Whitty, a real forward talent.

When one visited Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon, one immediately reflected on the long contribution of the O’Connor family to St. Martin’s and Wexford hurling and football.

One cast a thought back to George, who is equally eloquent when talking about hurling and football as he was on the playing pitch, John, who continues to mentor at club level, James and Arthur.

John is part of the successful Martin’s backroom who are just one hour away from an historic Senior hurling double.

The family is contributing hugely to the most successful era in the history of the south Wexford club.

Just casting an eye through the teamsheet before last Sunday’s semi-final clash with Rapparees, one could not miss the O’Connor name, with Patrick, Joe, Jack, Barry and Rory in action.

And one also was quickly reminded of the O’Connor contribution to the club’s Senior camogie back-to-back title successes 24 hours earlier.

It was always a dream of the O’Connor family to not alone emulate their club heroes to triumph at the top level, with George and John being part of 1996 All-Ireland glory, but also to help make their club one of the finest.

They experienced their share of disappointment and dejection, to the point that it looked like their dream would not be realised, before salvation arrived.

They are now one of the finest clubs in the county and the O’Connor family has and continues to make a major contribution.

The present-day O’Connor band of hurlers are doing their grandfather, the late Paddy, who won a Leinster Junior medal with Wexford in 1940 alongside a young Nickey Rackard, proud.