The Late Patsy Boggan The Parish of Piercetown bid farewell to one of its most illustrious sons when Patsy Boggan was laid to his eternal rest. The late Mr Boggan, from Tanner Hill, Killinick, passed away at the great age of 91 years. The Boggans of Tanner Hill are well-known as one of the great Wexford hurling families. The four brothers, Willie, Nicky, Tony and Patsy, all had distinguished careers at both club and inter-county levels. Patsy Boggan started his career with St Fintan's in the Mayglass Ballymore parish and just over the age of 13, played with them in the first-ever county Minor hurling championship at Rosslare in 1927. He won his first county Senior hurling championship medal with St. Fintan's in 1934, and in 1939 his brilliant display at midfield was a major factor in their defeat at Rathnure St. Anne's by two points in the county Junior final. At Fintan's had stepped down to this grade at the start of that year. This 1939 Junior final will always be remembered by those present in New Ross at one the finest hurling games witnessed. The Rathnure team included the youthful Nicky Rackard who scored two goals. The great games between St Fintan's and Adamstown in the 1930s gave Patsy Boggan the stage to exhibit his hurling prowess. He played in five county finals and two Shield finals against Adamstown, being acclaimed as best player of the 30 by virtue of a spectacular performance in the 1936 decider. Because of political problems, St Fintan's did not field a team in 1940, and by 1941 Patsy Boggan and his brothers, Nicky and Tony, had transferred their allegiance to St. Martin's who had entered Senior ranks. Patsy figured prominently in St. Martin's victory over Rathnure St. Anne's in the Echo Shield final of 1941. Patsy once again assisted St. Martin's in the county Senior finals of 1943 and 1945. In the 1945 final, almost half of the team came from two families - the four Boggan brothers from Tanner Hill and Peter, Phil and Frank Cullen from Killiane. Patsy Boggan played Senior football with Volunteers in 1932 and with Sarsfields for the following five years, winning the Senior football championship, the Cherry Shield and Feis Chairman Cup with Sarsfield in 1934. He added a second Senior championship title in 1935. He represented his county in Minor, Junior and Senior hurling and Senior football, over a period of 15 years. He was on the Wexford team that lost the 1939 Leinster Senior football final to Meath, playing at right-half back on the 'Red' Donnelly. Patsy Boggan scored no less than four goals for Wexford in the historic first defeat of Kilkenny for 38 years in the 1944 Leinster Senior hurling championship, the team subsequently suffering a shock loss to Dublin in the provincial final. This was followed by another victory over Kilkenny in the 1945 National League in Wexford Park. He also played with Wexford in their great win over All-Ireland champions, Cork in the 1945 National Hurling League. He continued his prominent association with the GAA after retiring from active participation from the games. He was Chairman of St. Martin's for two years and served on county hurling selection committees for several terms. He was a selector on the All-Ireland winning Wexford teams of 1955, 1956 and 1960. He was a delegate to the All-Ireland Congress and represented his club on the District committee and County Board. Pat Boggan also scored successes in handball tournaments as a member of the Bridgetown club, and won several trophies for darts including the Forth and Bargy Leagues of 1973-74 and 1975-76. One of the proudest days of his life was on October 10, 1999, when he was present in Bellefield to see St. Martin's winning their first Senior hurling championship title with an emotional victory over Rathnure St. Anne's. The respect in which the deceased was held was reflected in the large attendance for his removal from Mulligan's Funeral Home to Piercestown Church and Funeral Mass . Fr Curtis, retired P.P. of Piercestown, led the prayers on Saturday, while the Mass was celebrated by Fr Jim Butler, C.C. Murrintown deputising from Fr Liam Jordan, P.P. Piercestown. Reading were taken by Jenny Power and Jim Boggan, with the graveside oration delivered by Ned Culleton. The late Mr. Boggan, who was pre-deceased by his wife Catherine, is survived by his loving daughter Mary and Christine, brother-in-law, grandchildren John and Luke, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Wexford People 14th January 2005 Tweet

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