Four-page tribute to the hurlers of 1967
A TRIBUTE TO THE WICKLOW JUNIOR HURLERS OF 1967 WHO BROUGHT ALL-IRELAND JOY TO THE GARDEN
SPECIAL FOUR-PAGE REVIEW ON THAT HISTORIC ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR SUCCESS IN NOWLAN PARK, KILKENNY
On Saturday night, September 30, at Murphy’s Hotel in Tinahely, a group of Wicklow hurling warriors will be honoured for the stunning achievement of bringing home the All-Ireland Junior hurling crown to the Garden County.
It was a fantastic day in the history of Wicklow GAA when the hurlers dispatched London in the replay in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny.
What made it all the sweeter was the fact that they had been knocking at the door for so many years and had only tasted bitter defeat time and time again.
In 1961, they lost out to Meath in the Leinster final. In 1962, they were defeated by Kildare in Croke Park, again in the Leinster final.
In 1963, they came strong again but were knocked back by the men of Westmeath in the Leinster final. Provincial success was to come in 1964 in Enniscorthy but All-Ireland semi-final defeat was to follow when they succumbed to Kerry in Tralee.
But this band of brothers wouldn’t take no for an answer. After close calls in 1965 and 1966, the year of 1967 dawned and they once again laid their bodies on the line and achieved the dream.
This Saturday, starting at 7pm, those men will be honoured for their victory. Coillte have made a significant contribution to the night as has Wicklow County Council/Wicklow Sports Partnership and they are to be thanked.
It promises to be a night fit for the kings!