Monageer Boolavogue GAA Club is one of the oldest Clubs in County Wexford , being one of the first units to affiliate to the newly constituted Wexford Co. GAA Board of 1886.
The Club has enjoyed a chequered existence over the past 127 years and did at times fear extinction. Today however the club is on a very strong footing, both on and off the field. The Club adopted the now familiar red jersey with white trim in the early 1960’s.
Up to 1980 the Club relied on the generosity of various farmers for the use of their lands for training. That year however the Club purchased land in the village of Monageer which was subsequently developed and the old school renovated. These grounds were officially opened in 1984 by the late Jimmy Roche of Wexford County board. Additional land was purchased in 1996 and a second pitch developed. In 1999 Mr. Joe McDonagh Uachtaran Cumann Luchchleas Gael officially opened this pitch.
Due to the continued growth of our playing numbers, an additional 4.4 acres at a cost of 85,000 punts (€108,000) was purchased in 2002 and that now has been developed into our third playing pitch.
In 2002 plans were drawn up for a major clubhouse development to be sited on the lower portion of our first pitch. The 6500 square feet, two storey complex was built in 2004/2005 along with our new entrance and extensive car park. Our new clubhouse has 4 no large dressing rooms, referees room, shop, indoor handball/racquet court, meeting rooms, and gymnasium. Currently it is used year round by various groups such as Active Retirement, Pilates, Keep Fit and Uni-Slim for their activities as well a strong Racquetball group. It also houses an extensive and well equipped gymnasium while outside there is a fenced hurling wall.
On the playing field we won our first County title, Junior Hurling in 1974. This important breakthrough was the catalyst for a major turnaround in the fortunes of the club. Under 21 hurling was won in ’77 and a first Junior football title was won in 1978. The club was now on a sound footing and our best players (previously poached by neighbouring clubs) remained loyal and brought the club to new heights. Intermediate Hurling was won for the first time in 1980 and further intermediate championships were won in 1986 and 2000. We have big numbers playing our games and currently field 3 adult hurling teams in the championship. At underage we field teams from under 12 to minor in both codes and also cater for our up and coming young stars at under 8 and under 10 with trained coaches operating at all levels. Since we contested our first Co Final in 1974 the club has gone on to contest a total of no less than 57 finals (adult and underage) and has won 36 of them. Truly we have come a long way together.
Many of our players have worn the purple and gold of Wexford with pride at every level over the years with Billy and Declan Rowsome both playing in the 1976 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final and Aidan Gahan in the 1980 Minor Hurling Final. We also had three representatives on the Leinster senior hurling final team of 1979, with Tom Breen starting corner back, Billy Rowsome in midfield and Declan Rowsome wing forward. Sean Ruth and Aidan Fenlon played in the 1987 All Ireland Junior Hurling final and Dermot Prendergast captained Wexford in the 1986 All Ireland U-21 Hurling Final. Trevor Kelly played in the 2001 U21 Hurling final while his brother Marty Kelly played in the 2005 Intermediate Hurling Final. John Breen collected an All Ireland Intermediate hurling medal in 2007. We still await our first Allstar award in hurling or football.
We also have a thriving camogie and ladies football club who field teams from under 12 right through to adult level, and have also won County honours at practically every grade. Our senior camogie team have won a Co senior B Championship and contested the Senior A final in 2006. Many of our players have gone on to represent Wexford at County level and Avis Nolan, Rosemary Breen, Siona Nolan and Catherine O’Loughlin have in recent times won the holy grail of All Ireland Senior Medals. Indeed on top of her 3 All Irelands Catherine has assumed legendary status with her imperious displays at fullback for Wexford that has won her an unprecedented haul of 4 consecutive Allstar awards, so far.
Many great people over the years have passed through our club, often faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to bring our club to where it is today. To those visionaries we owe you all a debt of gratitude.