A very brief history of Buffers Alley Camogie Club…

St. Moling’s Camogie Club, Monamolin preceded Buffers Alley Camogie Club in Monamolin in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Following the success of the Wexford Senior Camogie team in 1968 against Cork, a number of new camogie clubs were established in early 1969. One of those newly established clubs was Buffers Alley, founded in February 1969 by the late Tom Butler, Tom O’Leary, Syl Murphy, Peter Kavanagh, Bertie Cousins and John Doyle. The renowned Doran’s field in “The Alley” was the then club venue for many matches and practice games at that time. Matches were alternated between O’Leary’s field, Garrydaniel and Doran’s field, Monagrena, depending on pitch availability. Buffers Alley’s club grounds were opened on the 4^th May, 1975 at Ballinastraw. The new venue boasted a full-size playing pitch, practice pitch, car-park, dressing rooms, press box and sub facilities and work had commenced on a squash court.

The journey to date…

Buffers Alley Camogie club won their first County final in 1969 in Junior grade beating Kilrush on a score-line of 5-0 to 0-0. The club fielded a Senior and Junior team in 1970. 1971 marked a historic breakthrough for the club when they won their first Senior county title, defeating St. Abban’s of Adamstown. The Buffers Alley Junior team was defeated by St. Mary’s Enniscorthy in the county league final in 1971.

Having contested Senior county finals in 1972, 1973 and 1974 in which they were defeated by St. Abban’s, Adamstown/Cloughbawn they went on to victory in 1975 when they overcame Adamstown/Cloughbawn in the first of their unequalled 14 county senior titles in a row. They also won their first Leinster club title in 1975. Buffers Alley fielded three adult teams in 1975, winning their first Intermediate title in 1976 and this title was followed by other Intermediate, Junior and numerous underage titles in the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s and in 2000.

Buffers Alley Camogie Club marched on to carve out a name for itself  in national camogie circles. The club contested and was defeated in the All-Ireland Club final in 1978 against Ballygran, Limerick but returned to the final podium in 1979 and defeated Athenry. The following five years saw Buffers Alley contest five All-Ireland club finals, being beaten in 1980 by Killeagh, Cork but  winning the next four titles in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 against Killeagh (’81), Athenry (’82), Glenamaddy (’83) and Killeagh (’84).

During this golden era of Buffers Alley Camogie the club won 17 County Senior titles, contested 7 All-Ireland club finals and was victorious in 5 of those club All-Irelands. Buffers Alley also won 8 Leinster club titles during this time. The club won the inaugural Kilmacud Crokes 7-a-side in 1974 and went on to win five further 7’s titles in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1989. The club defeated Rathnure in 1990 in a rematch of the 1989 county senior final. Buffers Alley’s next senior title was won in 1994, defeating Rathnure only to be defeated by Lisdowney in the Leinster club final. Buffers Alley were relegated to Intermediate from Senior in 1994 but gradually progressed back, winning Intermediate B title in 2008 and were defeated in the Intermediate A final in 2009. In 2011 Buffers Alley won the Intermediate league and followed on in 2012 to win the Intermediate Championship and regain Senior status after a long absence from the grade. 2013 saw Buffers Alley win the Senior A league and in 2014 Buffers Alley celebrate a momentous victory against Bunclody in Senior A marking a return to full Senior camogie status. 

Our underage players have enjoyed various successes over the past number of years; in Community Games in 1994, winning both  county and Leinster titles, a Rackard League title in 1990/1991 was added to in 2009 when Buffers Alley won both Rackard League and U12 Championship. U16 teams won county titles in 2011 and 2012 with the U18s winning a championship title in 2010.

Into the future…

Buffers Alley’s star burns brightly for the future with the upcoming U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U 16 and U18 squads. Our club is extremely proud of the many talented players, mentors, officials and club members who have successfully developed such a remarkable and accomplished club over the past 45 years of Camogie in Buffers Alley.