Clonard player responds to ‘Hop Ball’
AN ADULT player with Clonard G.A.A. club has responded to an opinion expressed by Brendan Furlong in his ‘Hop Ball’ column last week.
In a piece on the current standing of football in Wexford town, the reporter stated ‘one would have to seriously question the involvement of Clonard, as the final scorelines from the majority of their games speak for themselves’.
Commenting on that opinion, Clonard player Colm Browne contacted this newspaper to say ‘it alarms me that one journalist can tarnish the reputation of one G.A.A. club to the benefit of the rest’.
He added that ‘the club has recently invested heavily in a GPO coach in conjunction with Leinster Council to promote games development and to increase participation numbers in that area’.
This development was covered with a photograph and report in the ‘Around The Districts’ section of ‘The People’ last week.
Browne also pointed out that ‘under-age numbers have flourished recently when upwards of 80 children attended annual Easter and Summer camps’.
These events also received pictorial coverage in ‘The People’.
‘It is too simple and downright insulting to suggest that by dissolving one club from the Wexford town scene, we will experience gains for the better,’ Browne added.
‘The Faythe Harriers have held all the dominance in Wexford town and have made little inroads in the Senior hurling championship in recent years.
‘Furthermore on the issue of hurling in Clonard, there are over 35 registered adult players willing to play for the club.
‘To question the future of a club that is doing its utmost to participate and compete at all levels is astounding,’ Browne continued.
‘Ill-fated comments last year on Clonard G.A.A. folding for good set a precedent and a notion in the county that Clonard had indeed folded did huge damage to the efforts put in by club officers and officials in attracting new players, volunteers and under-age recruitment.’
Junior football county champions in 2001 and 2010, Clonard withdrew from this year’s Junior ‘A’ competition after one game on April 23 when they lost to Sarsfields by 5-16 to 1-4.
Walkovers were received by HWH-Bunclody, Duffry Rovers, St. Anne’s and Volunteers as a result.
The club took a more complete part in the Wexford District Junior ‘B’ hurling championship.