Shelmaliers is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Castlebridge, County Wexford, Ireland. The club was founded in 1886, with the name Shelmaliers being adopted in 1952, and fields teams in hurling, Gaelic football and camogie.

Shelmaliers
Síol Maoluír
Founded:1886
County:Wexford
Nickname:Shels
Colours:Black and amber
Grounds:Hollymount, Castlebridge
Coordinates:52°23′13″N 6°25′36″W / 52.386897°N 6.426711°W / 52.386897; -6.426711
Playing kits
Home kit
change kit
Senior Club Championships
All Ireland Leinster
champions
Wexford
champions
Football: 0 0 3
Hurling: 0 0 7

Location

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Shelmaliers clubhouse in 2009
 
Shelmaliers pitch

Shelmaliers represents a parish of three centres – historic Castlebridge, Screen at the northern end, and the seaside area of Curracloe. The club is in the "over the water" area, just north of the town of Wexford.

History

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Evidence suggests that the game of hurling had been played in the area long before the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884. Two years later in 1886 the club played its first game under the auspices of the association – a game of football against Our Lady's Island in October 1886.

Over the next fifty years the club, under various names such as the Emmets, the Redmonds, and the Sally Beachers, enjoyed a golden age, winning thirteen senior hurling titles and one senior football title. The club represented Wexford in the All-Ireland championship on five occasions. Their finest hour was in 1910, when Wexford, represented by Castlebridge, won its first All-Ireland senior hurling title.

The Shelmaliers name was adopted in 1952, when the old Ibars and Ardcolm clubs merged. County junior hurling titles followed in 1954 and 1966.

Other titles have been annexed in the intervening period, winning a junior football championship in 1985, and an intermediate hurling title in 1997.

John Hegarty managed the club to the Wexford SFC.[1] He was still Shelmaliers manager when the County Board appointed him as manager of the county football team in 2022.[2] He continued as club manager for the SFC.[3]

Facilities

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The 1970s saw the club move to its present grounds at Hollymount, the start of a process of development which is continuing today. The club now have three pitches, and have purchased land for a fourth pitch.

Notable players

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Honours

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References

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  1. ^ Lawlor, Damian (10 September 2022). "Wexford to appoint John Hegarty as new football manager". RTÉ.
  2. ^ "Wexford set to appoint Hegarty as new football boss". Hogan Stand. 10 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Backroom team to work with new Wexford football manager John Hegarty yet to be finalised". Wexford People. 21 September 2022.
  4. ^ "O'Gara all set for Wexford SFC debut". Hogan Stand. 26 August 2022.
  5. ^ Furlong, Brendan (27 October 2014). "Kelly inspires Shelmaliers". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
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