Fenagh G.F.C

The new Fenagh G.F.C. pitchwhich was pened Sunday 17th April 1994 is named the J.J. Hogan Memorial Park in memory of the late J.J Hogan, who died tragically in 1991, aged 19 years. The land for the present development was purchased from J.J.’s father Mr. Percy Hogan.

Fáilte an Chathaoirigh

Failte romhaibh go leir, a chairde go dti oscailt offigiuil Pairc Cuimhneachain ‘Ui Ogain, Fiodhnach.

On this great day in the history of the Fenagh club I welcome you, to the official opening of the J.J. Hogan Memorial Park. A special welcome to Mr. Jack Boothman, President of the G.A.A., Albert Fallen, Chairman Leinster Council, Fr. E. Dowling, P.P., Fr. J. Kelly C.C, Canon C. Ruddock, Mr. J. English, County Chairman, Mr. T. O’Neill, County Secretary, Mr. Liam Alyward, Minister for Sport, Mr. MJ. Nolan T.D., Mr. J. Browne T.D, Senator J. Townsend and to the Hogan family, Percy and Mairead.

A warm welcome to the Wicklow and Carlow teams, their officials and supporters and to Eddie Whelan the referee for todays match. We wish both teams every success in the coming championship.

What began as a wish from the Hogan family to have a pitch developed in memory of their son J. J. has become a reality. Nancy was not to see this dream come true but I’m sure she would be proud of the end result. Ar dheis De go raibh siad.

We look back today and remember the players officials and supporters of the club who have kept the Black and White flag flying through the good years and the lean ones since its establishment in 1889. To them we owe our gratitude. Our present teams are highly motivated and dedicated and from the degree of interest and commitment which I see being generated in our juvenile teams at club level and in the local schools the future looks good.

The club is deeply indebted to everyone who helped in any way to make this a memorable day. A special word of thanks and appreciation to the sponsors of this programme for their generous support, to Mr. T. Dobbs, Dobbs Oil, who donated a set of track suits for the winning team and to Mr. Oliver Gavigan, Celtic Automation Systems Ltd. for kit bags for the runners up.

Padraigh O Nualldin Cathaoirleach.

Cuntas ar an obair on Runai

As Secretary of Fenagh G.F.C. it is my privilege to welcome you all here to-day.

The late 80’s and 90’s saw phenomenal growth and success in our club. In order to facilitate our juvenile and senior teams the club found it necessary to purchase a new field. An Executive committee was formed to organise the combined efforts of members, promoters and supporters, who raised over £70,000. To all we are deeply indebted.

From these funds we purchased and developed our new playing grounds. We built our new club house including dressing rooms, shower and toilet facilities and a meeting room. This project is now almost complete thanks to the industrious efforts of the many voluntary workers. I would also like to thank the Carlow County Board and its officials for their co-operation and help over the past few years.

We know that these new facilities will be much appreciated by the present and future generations of the community of Fenagh and surrounding areas.

Carmel Ni Nuallain, Runai.

Cupla Focal on gCathaoirleach Condea

Thar cheann Coisde Condae Ceatharloch fearain comhgairdeachais mhor do cumann peil gealach Fiodhnach as ucht an Pairc Bhrea ata Romhainn inniu. Is cuis athais do gach einne sa Condae go bhfuil Cumann Fiodhnach suite san Pairc seo. Cuirim failte roimh gath einne ata Ballithe linn ar an ocaid speisialta seo.

Today’s official opening and blessing of this fine new park – the new home of Fenagh G.F.C. is a wonderful occasion for the Association in Carlow to see a club through effort and determination achieve what we see to be a top class park with excellent facilities. It is a special proud day for the people of Fenagh and all past and present members of the G.A.A. club which has always been associated with the life of the rural setting here near the foothills of Mount Leinster.

We salute the hardworking and efficient Committee in your club which has provided the leadership and fuelled your ambitions to have your own park, worthy of your village, of our County and of our Association.

May I also extend a “Cead mile failte” to Uachtarain Cumann Luthchleas Gael Jack Boothman on his first visit as Uachtarain to our County. Albert Fallen Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. is also a most welcome visitor to our County for this pleasant duty.

I conclude by expressing the wish that Fenagh Club will go from strength to strength and that with this wonderful facility at their disposal that the youth of the area and County may enjoy healthy sport here for many years to come. To all teams including Wicklow and Carlow S.F. teams we hope you have many sporting occasions in this fine park.

Rath de ar an obair,

Seamus Inglis. Cathaoirleath Coisde Condae Ceatharloch.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FENAGH G.F.C.

The club was first affiliated to the Carlow Co. Board on the 31st March, 1889. Their first game was against Bagenalstown on the 19th May the same year, which Bagenalstown won 1-0 to 0-0.

The club then ceased to appear until 1894 when they again failed to score this time against Myshall at the Taylor’s Cross. On the 22nd May 1921 Fenagh recorded their first win with a victory over Kellistown the score being 1-2 to 0-0 at Tiny Park. Fenagh won their first Junior championship in 1926, they beat Rathoe at Myshall and Graiguecullen at Leighlinbridge. In the final they beat Bagenalstown with a score of 1-1 to 0-1. The club lapsed in the early 30’s and members of the club merged, from time to time with those of the adjoining districts.

The club re-emerged in 1952. Jim Butler, Pat Kinsella, Peter Abbey and Jack Fox were the men who put the wheels in motions. In 1960 they beat Rathvilly in the Junior Final with a score 1-6 to 0-3. 1961 they won their first Minor championship. 1973 they beat the Blues and went Intermediate for the first time.

The roll of honours really began in 1984.

1984 Junior Centenary Cup

1985 J.F. Champions

1985 Div 111 League

1986 J.F. Champs

1988 M.F.Champions

1990 Intermediate Champs

1991 J.F. Champs

1993 Intermediate Champs

1994

Fenagh have yet to win a title at Senior rank and surely this day cannot be far away considering the growth and developments that have taken place in the club in the past few years.

The opening match on the day was a Senior Football Challenge between Carlow and Wicklow.

THE MOLL BENNETTS

At the beginning of the nineteen hundreds a family by the name of Bennetts lived in Coolasnaughta in an area known as ‘Bennetts Quarter’. The Christian names of some of the family members were Mary Ellen, Henry, Robert (Robin), and Mary better known as Moll. The Bennetts had relations in Clonatoose Fenagh, it was the very last house down ‘Jenny’s lane’ – all is there now is a ruins. There lived there two Brien Brothers Pat and Mick and they were uncles of Moll Bennett. When Moll was in her early teens she would always come on holidays to the Briens Moll loved to visit the ‘Hucksters’ shop in Fenagh to buy groceries for her uncles. She used this excuse to play football with the boys on the street using an old rag ball. More often than not Pat or Mick would have to come looking for Moll. The owner of the Hucksters shop Petty Maher watched Moll play football and said she was as good as the boys if not better. In fact she was so good that the use of the term ‘Moll Bennett’ came in to effect when Petty Maher would hear about lads who played very well for Fenagh she would say ‘He’s a real Moll Bennett’ Moll became a well known figure shouting and urging on Fenagh teams and Fenagh was christened The Moll Bennetts’. It is thought that Moll never married and most of her family died young. But her name lives on and was alive and well in 2004 as Fenagh supporters cheered on their team with chants of ‘go on the Moll Bennetts’. We say well done to Fenagh Senior Footballers on reaching the Carlow S.F.C. final and replay and also to Kilbride on reaching the Intermediate Football final.

(Courtesy Myshall Parish Magazine 04)