Hurling in Wembley
The day the Wicklow hurlers played in the famous arena
‘A tremendous experience for all our hurlers and well worth the effort put into organising it,’ was how Mr. Bily Lawless, Chairman of the Wicklow Hurling Board, described their trip to London over the weekend.
Mr. Lawless, speaking to a Wicklow People representative on his arrival back, said he was delighted that the trip had turned out to be such an outstanding success, and added that all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The Wicklow party travelled by a starlight flight from Dublin Airport on Friday night and returned on Monday night. They played two games against London intermediate selections at Wembley and New Eltham, and acquitted themselves well though they lost both matches.
On their arrival in London they were met by Mr. Dom Murphy and Eamon Murray, of the London-Wicklowmen’s Association, who gave them every help possible.
In their travels the players and officials met with many Wicklow people who were only too pleased to welcome them and help them in any way possible.
WEMBLEY GAME
The Wicklow team played a very strong London intermediate team at Wembley on Saturday. Facing the Wicklow men was Avoca star, Eamon Murray, who captained Wicklow’s Junior team to win a Leinster championship in 1954.
London opened the game on a high note and had the Wicklow defence under heavy pressure for the first 15 minutes. Sean Torpey made some good saves during this period, but this did not prevent London from chalking up six points without reply from Wicklow. Three came from Barrett and two from M. Ryan.
Wicklow’s first score came from Liam Collins, who sent to the net entering the second quarter.
Tommy Morrissey followed with a Wicklow point, but Murray came back with a London point. Mickey
Jordan and Murray exchanged points just before the interval.
At half-time London led by 0-9 to 1-2.
In the early part of the second half the Wicklow players really set about their task in determined fashion. Two points from Tony Doyle, followed by a point from a free by Mickey Jordan, narrowed the gap back to the minimum. London then came back with points from Connolly and Fahy, but Wicklow struck once again with two points from Jordan brothers. Fahy put London two points up, but Billy Hilliard (point) and Mickey Jordan (point) brought Wicklow on level terms for the first time in the hour.
In the next five minutes Wicklow struck a glorious patch with points from Mickey Jordan (two from frees) and Liam Jordan. London replied with a point from a free by O’Neill but this was negated by a similar score from Tony Doyle.
In a thrilling finish, London came with late scores from Loughnane (goal) and Ryan (points) to pip the visitors on the post.
Wicklow Team: Sean Torpey; Tadgh Collins (Carnew), Jim Fogarty (forestry), Tom Kelly (Rathnew); Charlie Keddy (Kilcoole), Liam Collins (Carnew), Rory O’Shea (do.); Sean Doyle (do.), Vincent McCarthy (Avondale); Peter Dwyer (Forestry), Liam Jordan (Avondale), Tony Doyle (Civil Service); Billy Hilliard (Carnew), Tommy Morrissey (St Patrick’s), Michael Jordan (Avondale). Subs: J Kilbride for T Collins, M Daly for L Jordan (both injured).
London: W Banville (goal); M Connolly, L Walsh, M Hassett; R Cashin, M Meaney, P Fahy; T Connolly, M Kirwan; P O’Neill, F Condon, M Loughnane; M Ryan, E Murray, J Bassett.
WELCOME
Speaking prior to the Wexford-Cork game at Wembley on Saturday, Mr. Jim Conway, Chairman of the London Co. Board, had a special welcome for the Wicklow team as All-Ireland Junior winners of 1967. Speaking in the presence of 25,000 people, Mr. Conway welcomed the members and officials of the Wicklow team.
He went on to thank the officers of the Wicklow Hurling Board and their Chairman, Mr. Lawless, for the wonderful reception accorded to the London team on their visit to Aughrim for the All-Ireland Junior final last year.
The Chairman said the invitation to visit London had been given to the Wicklow team because of their outstanding displays against London in the All-Ireland Junior hurling final and subsequent replay, and also because they wished to pay a special tribute to Mr. Billy Lawless who had done so much for the London Board during his stay there, and who was now doing so much for his native Wicklow.
TEAM ENTERTAINED
Mr. Paddy Ryan, Chairman of the Brian Boru Club, entertained the Wicklow team and officials on behalf of his club, and Mr. Tom O’Gorman invited the entire party to a dance on Saturday night. The evening meal was supplied by the London Co. Board.
On Sunday evening, Mr. And Mrs. O’Sullivan, on behalf of the London-Wicklowmen’s Association, were hosts at their home, the ‘Moray Arms’. Some sixty guests from all parts of Co. Wicklow were present. This was a very informal and homely reception, and was held in a room draped with the blue and yellow colours of the county. The players and officials were presented with rolled gold cuff links by Mrs. O’Sullivan on behalf of the London-Wicklowmen’s Association. Mr. Eamon Murray was presented with a hurley and ball from the Wicklow Hurling Board.
Mr. Dom Murphy (Tinahely) welcomed the Wicklow party and said that all Wicklow people in London were very proud to have their hurlers at Wembley. In the game, he said, Wicklow gave a wonderful display after a slow start. The ovation given by the attendance of 25,000 at the end of the game was ample evidence of how all present appreciated their display.
Mr. Murphy went on to stress the importance of the London-Wicklowmen’s Association, and he appealed for more members and greater cooperation from the home county. He believed that the coming of the Wicklow party to London would help considerably to swell the numbers enrolled as members of the Association.
He pledged the Association’s support to the G.A.A. in Wicklow, and he wished the hurlers every success in the coming season.
The Chairman of the Wicklow Hurling Board, Mr. Billy Lawless, thanked the London Association for the warm and friendly manner in which they had received his party; also, for the magnificent dinner provided that evening. He said he knew what to expect when coming to the Moray Arms, as the hostess was formerly Sheila Neill of Glenealy, a daughter of Jack Neill and sister of Jim, who had played many hard games for the county, and the whole family had been very active in the G.A.A. down through the years.
MEETING OLD FRIENDS
Mr. Lawless went on to tell of the struggle to get the Wicklow team to London, and named M/s. William and Michael Lee of the selection committee as two people who had provided £150 each to enable the team to travel. He also thanked Mr. Dom Murphy for his offer to pay their hotel accommodation until the London Board had settled their account, and also Mr. George Devlin, formerly of Rathnew, of the Kings Arms for his generous offer.
The Chairman said he believed that he was right in the stand he took in spite of the Finance Committee’s refusal to be associated in any way with the project, or to encourage it.
He did not think there were any other five officials in Ireland who had the power to refuse or give as they so desired, and he believed this attitude was short-sighted and immature.
As a result of the team’s visit every hurler in the county, from the youngest grade upwards, now knew that it was possible to have the same recreational rewards as counties such as Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford, etc. In his opinion this was as it should be, adding their hurlers deserved the best that could be given.
He said the Association would be nothing without the players, and any board or committee that had not the interests of their players at heart would eventually destroy themselves and the very foundation of the Association. Even with the best intentions in the world they would kill the spirit and goodwill of their county players.
Mr. Lawless went on to thank all Wicklow exiles who met the team in London, and said every member of the party was pleased to meet old friends again.
He told those present: ‘We will be going home with renewed determination to improve our game within the county and with deep gratitude in our hearts to the London-Wicklowmen’s Association and a firm resolution to help them whenever possible in the future.’
SUNDAY’S GAME
Wicklow played an intermediate team selected by Brian Boru Club at New Eltham on Sunday. All the Wicklow substitutes were selected on this occasion, and the team was defeated rather heavily.
Most of the Wicklow players appeared tired after the previous night’s celebrations, and, in the circumtances, defeat was not unexpected.
The team on duty: Sean O’Brien, Tadgh Collins, Jim Fogarty, Andy Byrne; Liam O’Loughlin, Jack Kilbride, Rory O’Shea; Sean Doyle, Tommy Morrissey; Mick Daly, Liam Collins, Tony Doyle; Jimmy Hatton, Sean Kennedy, George Delaney. Charlie Keddy replaced Tadgh Collins and Mickey Jordan went in for Delaney.
Officials and others who travelled with the hurlers were: M/s Billy Lawless, Chairman; Joe New, Chairman of Arklow U.D.C.; Billy Lee, Mick Kelly and Jim Ryan (selectors), Pat Whelan (Carnew) and Jackie Napier (Bray).