All-Starawardat lastforFitzhenry

December 1997

A year of excellence between the posts was rewarded on Friday last when Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry received his Eircell hurling All-Star award from GAA President, Joe McDonagh, at a glittering ceremony in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

The Duffry Rovers man was the only Slaneysider to gain the coveted honour, edging out the claims of Clare’s David Fitzgerald for the goalkeeping award.

The hurling team was finalised last Wednesday night, with Damien learning of his selection early the following morning. He expressed delight and surprise at the honour given the fact that his closest rival had such a fine year as Clare regained the All-Ireland title.

Last year, Fitzhenry was edged out by Joe Quaid of Limerick after Wexford won the All-Ireland, but few could dispute his claims for selection this time round.

He was coolness personified throughout the season, and made an absolutely breath-taking save from Billy Dooley of Offaly in the closing stages of the Leinster semi-final.

However, there was general disappointment about Wexford’s low representation in the AllStars, given the fact that they retained their Leinster Championship title following two memorable wins over Offaly and Kilkenny.

Ger Cushe must be wondering what he has to do to earn an All-Star after being overlooked for the second year running, while Liam Dunne was another defender unlucky to miss out.

And Adrian Fenlon was another who can feel disappointed. He had a superb year for the Leinster champions, but he surprisingly lost out on a midfield place to Tommy Dunne of Tipperary and Colin Lynch from Clare.