A MAGICAL DAY FOR WIC

ANOTHER ALL-IRELAND TITLE FOR WICKLOW

JUNIOR HURLERS SURVIVED STRONG LONDON RALLY

The replay of the All-Ireland Junior hurling final resulted in another exciting struggle between Wicklow and London at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, on Sunday, before victory finally went to the Garden County by 3-14 to 4-7.

It was a jubilant occasion for all associated with the game in Wicklow, and one which all will be recalled with great pride and satisfaction in future years. Success was not achieved easily in this final, and full praise must go to the 15 players who made it possible. They played their hearts out, and won the admiration of all for their courage and determination.

DOGGED DETERMINATION

Indeed, the third week in October, 1967, will be remembered f a long number of years by Wicklow Gaels. It started off with a fine victory b the Minor hurlers in the Special All-Ireland Championship, and ended on another glorious note and the winning of the Junior All-Ireland. The year 1967 will also be remembered as the year in which four Wicklow teams reached All-Ireland finals, scoring two wins and being narrowly defeated in the under-16 and under-21 deciders. It was truly a wonderful year for hurling in Wicklow, and may well prove the forerunner of bigger things to come.

The final was keenly contested by both sides from start to finish. The hurling was exciting, reaching its climax with London coming with a tremendous second-half rally, and some of the individual performances were worthy of any Senior All-Ireland.

In the end, it was only the dogged determination of the Wicklow defence that won the day for the Garden County. London gave of their best in the second moiety, but Wicklow had turned their earlier chances into sufficient scores to see them through when the going became really tough. And it was certainly tough in the finish as London strove might and main to take the honours.

In the end, with Wicklow having led by no less that 12 points at the interval, only four points separated the sides and London were still on the attack when the final whistle sounded.

TRIBUTE TO TEAM

It was all so much like the drawn final at Aughrim two weeks previously. Wicklow held the same lead – 12 points – when disaster struck, and they almost failed to weather the storm.

On Sunday, however, the team faced up to the task in hand with much greater determination and they rallied through under extreme pressure from the exiles. The defence simply refused to break and they won the admiration of every unbiased Gael in Nowlan Park.

After the game, a great tribute was paid to the Wicklow team by the Kilkenny County Secretary, Paddy Grace. He said they had given a wonderful display of hurling, some of which was even better than this year’s All-Ireland Senior fi between Kilkenny and Tipperary.

He added that the striking was wonderful, and both teams must feel very proud of their efforts.

It was a well merited victory and just reward for the disappointments of recent. The selectors, officials and all concerned with the team, not omitting the trainer, Paddy Croke, must be heartily congratulated on their achievement. They have devoted much of their leisure to preparing the team, and it is seldom that they receive due praise. GAMBLE PAID OFF

The Wicklow selectors gambled that they would take London unawares by switching their forwards for the start of the game. I was felt that London had placed certain players in special positions to stop some of Wicklow’s top marksmen, and the selectors decided that they would attempt to counterpart this move by switching their wing forwards with their corner forwards. This meant that both tommy Morrissey and Peter Dwyer moved into the corner positions, while Hilliard and Mickey Jordan moved into the half forward line.

The success of this gamble was one of the principal reasons for Wicklow’s victory. Hilliard spread-eagled the London defence from the word ‘go’, o much so that the London full-back took it upon himself to move out on the Carnew man towards the end of the first half.

And the gamble could not have been more successful in the case of Tommy Morrissey who scored two important goals from the corner forward position. As the game progressed, and the gamble proved more successful, the Wicklow forwards reverted to their selected positions.

Another gamble, although to a much lesser degree, was the playing of team captain Jim Kearns. The Avondale leader dislocated his shoulder in the drawn final and had treatment from a Dublin specialist only two days before the big game. He was advised to rest from hurling for six weeks.

IN DEVASTATING FORM

The Wicklow lads were in devastating form in the opening moiety. In particular, the midfielders and forwards were completely on top of their game and the ball ran very smoothly for them.

They hurled with tremendous endeavour from the very start, going right into the fray from the moment Paddy Johnston threw in the ball. At times they hurled as if inspired and they were undisputed masters over their opponents in this period.

The Wicklow followers had plenty to cheer about in this opening half, and they certainly gave their players every encouragement. There was continuous vocal support from the two Carnew stalwarts, Sean Doyle and Billy Hilliard, both of whom were really outstanding in the first half.

Doye’s long deliveries and accurate frees were a feature of the early exchanges, while Hilliard’s great ball contol and sallies inote London goalmouth were delightful to watch.

Great work was also done by Tony Doyle, partnering Sean Doyle at midfield, and the St Patrick’s representative, Tomm Morrissey. It was, indeed, heartening to see Doyle at his best, while full praise must go to Morrissey for the early goals that put Wicklow on the road to success.

In between, the Wicklow defence was not found wanting when called upon.

London’s early shock goal could not be stopped, coming out of the blue from an overhead stroke. Apart from this they conceded ony three points in this moiety, one of which came from a badly hit free. I the circumstances, they could not have done much more and everyone felt pleased with their display.

WEATHERED STORM

As in the drawn game, the second half saw London take the initiative and the exiles were soon hammering relentlessly at the Wicklow goal. Their midfield men and forwards, despite some great work from Jim Kearns, Rory O’Shea and Jim Fogarty, began to dominate, and the Wicklow defence was soon in trouble. Loopholes began to appear and London began to get the scores.

The play around the Wicklow goal was hectic at times, and the defenders were forced into fouling tactics in order to prevent certain goals. London had four frees from the 21-yard line in this period, and the ball did not leave the Wicklow half for long periods of time.

The defence, although completely overwhelmed, never lost hope and, gradually, they began to sort things out. They weathered the storm after being lashed back on to their own goal-line, and they came through with flying colours in the end.

The entire defence, along with Sean Torpey in goal, experienced a hectic time for most of the second moiety, and one could almost hear their sighs of relief when the final whistle sounded.

London, as in the drawn game, put in their best work in the second half. With the wind behind them, they showed great dash and determination and they looked extremely dangerous. On this occasion, however, they met a more resolute Wicklow defence, and they just found it impossible to get the winning scores.

There was tremendous jubilation as Wicklow followers rushed on to the pitch at the sound of the final whistle. The Wicklow heroes were carried shoulder-high from the field, while the officials and selectors were besieged with handshakes with which came congratulations and messages to indicate that their work for the team and county was much appreciated. It was, indeed, a wonderful sight and well worthy of Wicklow’s historic occasion. The Garden county supporters were out in strength and their vocal support during the game, must certainly have inspired the players at times.

The beautiful Mackey Cup was presented to Jim Kearns amidst tremendous excitement. The President of the GAA, Mr. S O’Riain, spoke of Wicklow’s great efforts and achievements during the year, and tendered his sincere congratulations on their success.

PRESENTATION OF MACKEY CUP

After the game hundreds of Wicklow supporters gathered in jubilant mood for the presentation of the Mackey Cup by the President of the GAA, Mr. Sean O’Riain. The presentation took place on the pitch immediately after the game.

Mr. O’Riain congratulated both teams for giving such an excellent display of hurling for the second time. They provided a wonderful game in the drawn final, with a most exciting finish, and it seemed as if the replay was going to end the same way.

When London began to fight back it seemed as if they were going to force a draw again. However, it was then that Wicklow really showed their mettle and they emerged worthy winners.

LONDON CHAIRMAN’S TRIBUTE

Mr. Jim Conway, Chairman of the London Co. Board, said it was a great pleasure and privilege for him to be present and see such a wonderful game with such exciting hurling. He thought everyone would agree that the second half was terrific.

He went on: “We congratulate Wicklow most