This week Wexford GAA have teamed up with Samaritans with the announcement that the charity have secured the naming rights of the county’s second largest grounds – St Patrick’s Park in Enniscorthy.
For the next three years the grounds will be known as Samaritans St Patrick’s Park, with the charity securing the naming rights free of charge.
This is not the first time Wexford GAA have been to the fore in the promotion of mental health. In 2022, the county teamed up the ‘Tackle Your Feelings’ well-being campaign, with the slogan featuring prominently on the sleeve of their jerseys. The slogan has been ever present on Wexford jerseys ever since.
The new name and signage at the Enniscorthy ground was officially revealed this week by Micheál Martin, Wexford GAA County Chairperson, Sarah O’Toole, Executive Director of Samaritans Ireland, and Jonathan Neville, volunteer and Regional Director for Samaritans Ireland.
Wexford county stars Eoin Porter (football), Kevin Foley (hurling), and Wexford football manager John Hegarty also attended and were joined by Samaritans volunteers from Arklow and Waterford, as well as members of Wexford GAA.
“Samaritans is one of the leading mental health charities in Ireland, and Wexford GAA is delighted to offer them naming rights of our second county ground to Samaritans free of charge,” said Mr Martin. “We want to create awareness of their work and highlight the support they offer to people of all ages who are in need of emotional support.
“St Patrick’s Park is the most used county ground in Wexford, with an estimated 30,000 people going through the turnstiles in 2023. It hosted over 300 matches last year, including intercounty games, club finals, schools’ games, the LGFA and Camogie games, and is also the training base for the county minor and u20 teams.
“We hope this new signage will encourage anyone, including our players and supporters, who may need someone to talk to, to call Samaritans on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.”
Wexford native Ms O’Toole said the charity was delighted to be chosen by Wexford GAA to secure the naming rights of St Patrick’s Park.
“Samaritans has been the mental health partner of the GAA for the last 10 years and this initiative cements that partnership even more making sure we are there at grassroots,” she said.
“We are always trying to raise awareness of our service and target those who may need us most – it is amazing that now our name and number can be seen by anyone attending a game at Samaritans St Patrick’s Park over the next three years.
“We want everyone to remember that no matter how big or small a problem may seem, our trained volunteers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.”
Wexford county footballer Eoin Porter said mental health is a topic close to everyone’s heart.
“We’ve all had incidents with mental health, whether ourselves or other people around us. It’s fantastic to see such a unique ground, like St Patrick’s, linked with Samaritans,” he added.
Wexford county hurler Kevin Foley said he was delighted to be at the launch.
“I think it’s a great initiative and a great idea for the local community and Wexford,” he added.
