Big boost for Anne’s
Kerryman Brosnan a huge addition
THE ARRIVAL of a talented hurler from Kerry is set to give St. Anne’s a big boost in their quest to go one better than last year, when the surprise packets gave fancied St. Martin’s a good run for their money in the Pettitt’s Senior championship final.
Brendan Brosnan from Lixnaw, a teacher in Wexford C.B.S., has joined the club and will significantly enhance their options in the half-back and midfield sectors.
And while the championship format is likely to be altered in light of current more pressing issues, the St. Anne’s faithful will be looking forward to watching their new arrival in action whenever that opportunity arises.
Having attended the last two Kerry county finals myself, I can vouch for the fact that Brosnan is a very capable performer.
Along with his colleagues from Lixnaw (also the home hurling club of Paul Galvin), Kilmoyley were defeated by 1-16 to 2-11 in the 2018 final, but they lost their crown to Causeway last August on a 2-13 to 1-13 scoreline.
His arrival comes after Aaron Craig enjoyed a fine first season in the St. Anne’s colours, particularly in the county final, with the man from Westmeath also helping his county to defeat Carlow and preserve their Allianz League Division 1 status recently.
Elsewhere on the transfers front, it was noticeable that one of the first applications lodged and processed – on January 3 – was for Jack Guiney to return from the Tipperary club in New York to his native Rathnure.
All hurling followers will be looking forward to seeing the man who has represented Wexford at Senior level 48 times, scoring 14-171 in the process, back in the black and amber colours.
On the football front, one of the most notable moves has seen David Shannon leave Volunteers and return to his home club, O’Donovan Rossa in Skibbereen.
The Garda - a Gorey rugby club stalwart too - made his Wexford debut in the Leinster championship against Laois in 2018 and featured in nine games in all without getting on the scoresheet.
However, he was a prolific marksman for the Vols in the Intermediate ‘A’ grade and, just before the current games shutdown, he grabbed a goal for O’Donovan Rossa when they lost a Cork Senior league game to St. Finbarr’s in Neenan Park, Togher.
A lot of Wexford players have transferred out of the country for 2020, although many plans may well be changed due to the unforeseen circumstances that now prevail.
Chief among the list of movers is inter-county footballer John Tubritt who has joined Penrith Gaels in Sydney (Australia) from his native Fethard.
Another player with inter-county experience, Ballyhogue’s Syl Byrne, has moved to Christopher’s in Boston, while the consistency of HWH-Bunclody’s Seán Kenny will be missed in both codes after he signed up with Central Coast in Sydney along with clubmate David Reck.
Among their new team-mates down under will be Conor Hughes of Naomh Eanna, David Jackman from Crossabeg-Ballymurn, Matthew Creane (Rathnure), and Rapparees duo Brendan Doyle and Conor Ronan.
One of their chief local rivals, Craobh Phádraigh, will be boosted by the services of Shane Murphy from St. James’, a prolific marksman who has also donned the county colours in the Under-21 grade.
Sydney Shamrocks is the club of choice for Mel Doyle, the durable defender in both codes with Rapparees-Starlights, while Peter Anthony Wall of Clongeen will be in action with Molly Malone’s in Wellington, New Zealand.
Shane Larkin (Shamrocks) has joined Garryowen in Melbourne, with Kevin Quigley (Glynn-Barntown) going to Pádraig Pearse’s in the same city.
Luke Murphy, the St. James’ netminder, will be seen in the colours of the Christchurch McKenna’s club, also in New Zealand, while Vancouver in Canada is the destination for Neil McCrea (Rapparees to J.P. Ryan’s), Micheál Murphy (Bannow-Ballymitty to St. Finnian’s), and Ross Mulligan (Clonard to Eire Og).
Cougars in Los Angeles, the club featured on the facing page, will be gaining Niall Cash (Shelmaliers), as well as Ciarán Argue (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown) and Adam Cooney (Horeswood) who are among those mentioned in Dean Goodison’s chat with Eoghan Geoghegan.
A couple of moves home have been approved too, with Ben Moore returning to St. Anne’s from Na Piarsaigh in Toronto (Canada), and John Langan-Murphy coming back to Naomh Eanna from Clan na nGael in Sydney.
Two Wexford men have linked up with clubs in Europe since the turn of the year, namely Paul Doyle (Ferns St. Aidan’s to Belgium), and Robert O’Keeffe (St. Martin’s to Prague), while Ryan Meyler has returned to St. Mary’s (Rosslare) from Fr. Murphy’s (London).
In terms of county to county transfers here in Ireland, two players have re-joined their home clubs from Waterford: Darren O’Reilly (Kilrossanty to Horeswood), and Jordan Broaders (Mount Sion to St. Mary’s, Rosslare).
Other moves in to the county include: Ray McGlone, Glen Rovers/Melleray (Waterford) to Shelmaliers; Patrick Devane, Dingle (Kerry) to Sarsfields; Liam O’Dea, Pallasgreen (Limerick) to Naomh Eanna; William Harty, Ballygunner (Waterford) to St. Anne’s; Edward Dillon, Youghal (Cork) to Horeswood; Jamie Ronan, St. Loman’s (Westmeath) to Oylegate-Glenbrien; John Donovan, Ballinteer St. John’s (Dublin) to Buffers Alley; Stephen Kelly, Kilcoole (Wicklow) to Réalt na Mara-Ballygarrett; Robert Hayes, James Stephens (Kilkenny) to Naomh Eanna; Gary Reilly, Ballinlough (football) and Kilskyre-Moylagh (hurling, Meath) to Horeswood; Tommy Hurley, Arklow Geraldines-Ballymoney (Wicklow) to St. Mary’s (Maudlintown); Carl and Christopher Ward, St. Anne’s (Dublin) to Réalt na Mara-Ballygarrett.
Moves out: Seamus Keegan, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to Castlegar (Galway); John Dunleavy, Adamstown to Feoghanagh-Castlemahon (Limerick); John Larkin, St. Mary’s (Maudlintown) to Gaultier (Waterford); P.J. Doyle, Clonard to Erin’s Own (Waterford); Shane Butler, Ballyhogue to St. Maur’s (Dublin); Graham Holmes, St. Anne’s to Leixlip (Kildare); Declan Breen, Tara Rocks to Arklow Rock Parnells (Wicklow); Callum Ryan, Askamore-Kilrush to Carnew Emmets (Wicklow); Jonathan Kelly, Rathgarogue-Cushinstown to Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin).