€50 UP FOR GRABS IN GERRY FORDE’S BUMPER CROSSWORD
THERE’S NO better man in Wexford to come up with a set of sporting memory teasers than Gerry Forde.
And we’re the lucky ones to be able to avail of his expertise this week.
Turn to page 43 inside this supplement, and you will see that Gerry has devised a bumper sports crossword, especially for readers of this newspaper.
The questions are a broad mix between local, national and international.
And now that people have more time on their hands through no fault of their own, why not sit down with the family some night and see if you can complete the grid?
It should come as no surprise that Gerry has devised it in the shape of Wexford, as he loves everything about the Model county and is a passionate follower of the purple and gold.
There is no entry fee to submit a completed crossword, and the first correct one pulled from the hat by us in the middle of next month will receive a €50 prize.
However, Gerry does make one specific request.
‘Maybe those who get some enjoyment out of doing the crossword would consider making a small donation to a charity such as their local St. Vincent de Paul,’ he said.
‘Any help in these tough times would be much appreciated.’
ACROSS
1. Team-mate of ‘Bozo’ at Rathnure. Was this stalwart fond of sweets? (4)
4. Scot played for the ‘Gunners’ and the ‘Red Devils’ a while ago - sixties vintage (3,3)
7. The Brazil of middle distance running (5)
9. Was he Wexford’s best-ever leader of the orchestra? See also 11 down (3,5)
10. Tried his best to stop Eddie’s hat-trick , see also 75 down (3,6)
12. Mo’s right-hand man, perhaps he wishes he wasn’t now (7)
13. Home state of the ‘Golden Bear’ (4)
14. Phil was a tough one (3)
16. Had his greatest night in Rotterdam. See also 62 down (3, 8)
17. Highly successful antipodean at the ‘Open’, initials (1,1)
19. Hull and York (4)
22. Perhaps should be in the Anfield trophy room but currently on ? (3)
23. He caused 153 down to fall to his knees (9)
27. Didn’t know there was a post office here (5)
29. Former legendary Australian middle distance runner. See also 88 across (3,6)
30. Karius was left with this on part of his anatomy (3)
32. Helped to lower the flag of St George in Leon in 1970. Christian name only (3)
33. Formerly the home of the ‘Foxes’. See also 12 down (7,6)
35. GAA club in the ‘Banner’ (4)
37. Mount Sion maestro. Christian name only (3)
39. At the moment we all have to stay ? (2)
41. Religious Australian rugby player (1,1)
42. Wouldn’t like to meet Conor here (4)
43. Sometimes sportsmen pick these up at the Palace (1,1,1)
44. Ante post or ? (1,1)
45. One of a hurling dynasty, he foiled Tom at the Canal End in 1989. Christian name (5)
48. Lost his head in Saipan (3)
49. On June 30, 2019, at 17.00, we were all on ? (4)
50. Former Leinster and Irish out-half (1,1)
51. The ‘Big Easy’. See also 233 across (5,3)
53. Bearded Dub of 1974. Initials (1,1)
56. Former Synge Street Dub without the O (5)
58. Did a famous jig at 220 down (5)
62. Former baseball player with Milwaukee Brewers ? (1,1)
63. Cathal has plenty of this (4)
65. He missed the nine steps (3,7)
67. Popular East Londoner, former player and manager ‘arry. Initials (1,1)
68. Argentinian currently at Estudiantes (4)
70. Popular clothing brand worn by Spieth and Joshua (1,1)
71. RTE presenter for the Olympics from 1972 to 1996 (1,1)
72. A ‘cherry’ footballer (3)
74. He gave it his best shot. See also 93 across (3,5)
76. The ‘Windies’ (1,1)
77. Will Premier League players have to go to this office to get a permit after Brexit? (1,1)
78. The sulk at Arsenal was possibly also a bit ? (3)
79. The Hand of God fooled him. See also 155 down (5,7)
81. He was on board 239 down. Christian name only (4)
85. Middle name for Galway legend of the 60s (5)
87. Wexford siblings (4)
88. See 29 across
91. Shakespearean Saint (5)
93. See 74 across
94. Big ? (3)
96. Has a hill in his name in SW London. See also 217 down (3,6)
97. The curse needs to be lifted for Mayo to reach the Holy Grail. See also 98 down (3,7)
99. Older of tribe sibling. See also 125 down (5, 7)
101. David Duval, Tom Lehman and Ernie Els like this place. Initials (1,1)
102. Can be furious (5)
104. Late Irish jockey Johnny (3)
105. A batsman could be said to be ? from a fast bowler (1,1)
107. A Belfast legend from the Sandy Row 109. CLG (1,1,1)
112. Not Sir Alex’s favourite colour (4)
114. Seventies Dutch footballer noted for his long-range shooting (4)
115. Younger Shel sibling (4)
116. Play at Gigg Lane (4)
117. The O’Donovans are handy with one of these (3)
119. He spoiled the Bicentenary. See also 164 across (6,6)
120. Lisdowney legend with 3 All-Irelands. Christian name (3)
124. See 250 down
126. Rathdowney’s gift to Wexford (3,7)
128. The ‘Invincibles’
131. What every batsman hopes to be after every innings (1,1)
132. Former Match of the Day presenter. Christian name (3)
133. Has Harry used one of these in his rehab? (4) 136. Not in the Vatican but has been in Montrose as a pundit (4)
137. His piledriver shattered Rathnure in 2019. See also 123 down (5,5)
138. Not too fond of 18th at St. Andrews. See 93a down (4,7)
139. Legend of English and Scottish soccer. See 164 down (5,8)
142. Was Ali Daei the best-ever footballer from this country? (4)
145. River closest to Fiorentina (4)
147. David broke English transfer record in the early 70s (4)
148. Boom ? was former boxer (4)
149. Didn’t see out the ’61 final. See also 123 down (3,5)
150. He only had 8 seconds to spare. See also 54 down (4,6)
151. See 40 down
154. Handy implement for shorter snooker players (4)
157. Stylish and-sweet striking former Harrier. See also 231 down (3,5)
160. Former Stoke and Blackburn midfielder played in a World Cup final (1,1) 161. Athens club (3) 164. See also 119 across 166. The other half (7) 169. French-born basketballer started with Antonio Spurs, now with Wizards (1,1)
171. This major golfer was a genuine northerner (1,1)
172. El Raton was a sterling Argentinian defender or Grand National winner(5)
173. Former great boxing commentator. Christian name (3)
174. Johnny or Bobby (6)
176. Known as big ?, a big character in soccer in the 70s and 80s (3)
178. The oldest of five brothers (3)
179. Hit the net in a Champions League final (one O missing) (3)
180. Big character in soccer. Has he lost his BA? (3) 181. Real Madrid forward (1,1) 183. Which Dub did it (4,4) 185. His six goals weren’t enough to win Jules Rimet (4)
189. Won two FA Cup finals in the dim and distant (1,1)
190. ‘Theatre of Dreams’ (1,1)
191. Bobby and Ralph Coates hadn’t a great (1,1) 192. Chipped by Razor (8)
195. Some strict managers have players - - cosh (1,1) 196. Youghal hurler. Christian name (4) 198. Lanky Galway forward’s club (1,1) 199. Bantry Blue star has three All Stars (5) 200. Famous Kerry bag man? Griffin (3)
203. Were the best club in France (1,1)
204. Former jockey Robert was known by his nickname (4)
205. He sprayed the streets of Swansea in 1968 (4,6) (one r missing) 208. Home of the Yankees and Jets (1,1) 209. It disappeared in 1971 (3) 210. Phil wasn’t happy with him in 2004. Christian name (3) 211. Former world welterweight boxing champ nicknamed ‘Vicious’ (1,1) 212. South African deadly potter, not young. See also 220 across (6,4) 215. Sean was a great oarsman (4) 216. The orchestrator of the Sunday night debate during the summer. Christian name (3) 217. Dick was a star at this discipline. See also 163 down(4,4) 218. Irish player currently at Fulham (1,1) 219. See 220 down (5,4) 220. See 212 across 222. Fond of making par (5) 224. Once beat Manchester United in Champions League semi-final (1,1) 225. Oulart hurler better known in a different code (1,1) 226. He fell out with Myles Byrne. Christian name (3) 227. The club of perhaps the best modern day hurler not to win All-Ireland. See 90 down (4,6) 228. See 141 down 229. Left England for the UAE (5) 230. Marvellous? And 218 down (6,6) 232. Between 1997 and 2014 played 379 league games. Started with Spurs (1,1) 233. See 51 across 234. The highlight of Irish cycling (3) 235. British governing body for athletics (1,1,1) 236. Edson etc (4)
237. Is this the most famous 17th? See 114 down also (4,4)
240. See 245 across
241. He bagged a brace in an FA Cup final (4) 242. Born in Sheffield. An outstanding batsman (4)
244. Doon hurler (1,1)
245. Is he the best-ever. See also 240 across(1,1,4)
248. See 79 down
249. Bowls popular with this cohort (1,1,1) 251. Named after a mountain (5)
252. See 237 down
254. It came back to Wexford last year, K missing (1,1)
255. Peter Clohessy, better known as the? (4) 257. Battled it out with Tony Ward (1,1)
258. Kilanerin forward missing the middle O (1,1) 259. A freebie (E,N)
260. This Kilkenny man played for Sunderland and Grimsby (1,1)
261. Another freebie (U,E)
262. His first winner was Misty Mountain (1,1) 263. Better do this a few hours before a match (3) 264. Did a Botham last year. See also 268 across (3,6)
265. Late former Wexford and Harriers man (1,1) 266. See 247 down (5,3)
267. See 264 across
Down
1. A batsman target (3)
2. Dickie tells us it’s over the (3)
3. ‘Harrys’ second without the prefix (8)
5. Nicknamed ‘Fast’, one of the hurlers of the century . Initials (1,1)
6. Wexford twin (3)
8. Shocked Jimmy Connors. Initials (1,1)
10. This tennis player wasn’t in the Arc (4)
11. See 9 across
12. See 32 across
13. Most forwards like to hit the back of this bag (5)
14. He pulled the strings on the greatest Kerry team (4)
15. Former Croatian Spur (Christian name only) ( 4)
18. Tiger has? but not the golfer (3)
20. A freebie (L,Y)
21. Lord Coe was his nemesis. Initials (1,1)
23. Donal Og, the ‘Rock’, and the ‘Wizard’ (6)
24. In the dock with Woodgate. See also 144 down (3,6)
25. Slabhead (7)
26. No relation of Gippo, even spells his name differently, but once a great runner (4)
28. The Jester from 33 across (5)
31. Cauliflowered Englander. Initials only (1,1)
33. Once downed the ‘Red Hand’ (7)
34. Liverpool centre half of the 70s. Initials (1,1)
36. Possibly the best ground striker of a sliothar for Wexford in the last 30 years. Initials (1,1)
37. One of England’s best-ever batsmen, probably most controversial. Initials (1,1)
38. Rea, Liam MacCarthy cup winner of the 70s (3)
39. Sadly his tree is gone (3)
40. Legendary Scottish driver. See also 151 across (3,6)
42. Eamonn was glad he lost his temper (8)
43. Marked John O in ’96, - - Neill (1,1)
46. Do they waltz in the Ernst Happel? (6)
47. Unusually goalkeeper and sub-goalkeeper had the same name. Initials (1,1)
48. Team mate of 47 across (3)
52. Perhaps man of the match in 1968 (5)
54. See 150 across
55. ‘Sniffer’ (6)
57. Fell out with Platini a long time ago (6)
58. The biggest bookmaking chain in Ireland (1,1)
59. His goal calmed Biddy Early (1,1)
60. Murshell known by this nickname (1,1)
61. Not Rory’s favourite hole in Georgia (3)
62. See 16 across
64. Could this year be the end of an? for the Dubs (3)
66. Play at Bootham. See also (4)
69. Across clues sort it
73. Royal Evertonian (4)
74. Former Norwegian at Ibrox? Andre Flo (4)
75. See 10 across
78. Freebie (O,O)
79. Robbie’s club. See also 248 across (4,4)
80. Former Liverpool hard man. See also 168 down (5,7)
82. 640 league games for Liverpool (1,1)
83. This goalkeeper won one England cap (1,1)
84. A boxer can sometimes win by this method (1,1,1)
86. Was he Ireland’s best-ever golfer? Though he never won a penny (4)
89. Almost uniquely former Irish cricket and rugby referee (1,1)
90. See 227 across
92. Japanese club, acronym from iota 93a* Not too fond of the 18th at St Andrews. See also 138 across (4,7)
95. ? Gunnar Solskaer (3)
98. See 97 across
100. 2010 was his final. Christian name (3) 103. Split north London (3)
106. The doyen of racing pundits (3)
107. British athletics governing body (1,1,1) 108. Jeff’s club (10)
110. It was said his goal saved Fergie from getting the sack (1,1)
111. Former Villain and Man United player (1,1) 113. Korean Major (4)
114. See 237 across
118. There is an Isle (7)
119. Is Head and Shoulders good for the Hart? (3) 119a Australian tennis icon from the 60s. See also 130 down (3,4)
121. Good Irish middle distance runner (1,1) 122. Controlled the English scrum from 1986 to 1996 (1,1)
123. See 137 across
125. See 99 across
126. Oulart’s main free-taker for a while without the ‘y’ (4)
127. Celtic legend (5,7)
129. Played against 119a. Christian name (3) 130. See 119a down
134. Sort from across clues
135. Galway forward or Wexford footballer (1,1) 138. Former Harrier who had a few battles with Tommy Walsh (1,1)
140. Kolo Kolo (4)
141. One of the best-ever Welsh fly-halves. See 228 across (5,4)
143. A winning serve (3)
144. See 24 down
146. Full-back of the Limerick hurling brothers of the 70s (3)
148. A twin hurler, he captained his county to Liam MacCarthy honours (3)
152. He was in a ? when he Beckham with the boot (4)
153. See 23 across (6)
155. See 79 across (7)
156. Father of Mick, also an Irish international (3)
157. Stand at Dyche’s ground (1,1) 158. Sorted from across clues
159. Coastal racecourse in Britain (1,1)
160. His dad was Clare hurler of the 70s. He is a talented athlete. Christian name (4)
162. Home of the Hatters (1,1)
163. See 217 across
164. See 139 across
165. Wears number 20 jersey (5)
167. Iconic picture of this legend and Jack Berry during 1968 final (1,1)
168. Former Liverpool hard man. See also 80 down(5,5)
170. Once a doubles partner of the ‘Interesting Nugget’ (3)
175. Hits the net (3)
177. Sorted from across clues
181. Former Celtic and Man United legend. Did he own a chipper? Christian name (3)
182. The mascot ‘Cyril the Swan’ was once based in this field (5)
183. Il Gigante Buono (4,7)
184. There is a fence in his name in Liverpool (8) 185. Korda is not bad at golf (5)
187. A Rapparees stalwart over the years. Christian name (5)
188. No more bubbles at this park (5)
193. The Wembley of darts (4,5)
194. Squeaky-voiced one from the 1966 team. Christian name (4)
197. ?, fortnightly or monthly (3)
199a Sorted from across clues
201. NTD reached the pinnacle with this chaser (1,1)
202. Hole in the heart didn’t harm his career (3) 204. His brave free against Antrim in 2001 saved the day (4)
206. His hat-trick knocked out Brazil (5) 207. Once saw red against us, now in our dressing-room (6)
209. Avian Boston Celtic legend (4) 213. Probably scored the best Premier League goal ever versus Man City (6)
214. Are these gardens in Bulgaria ? (6) 216. PS was he the great ? (4)
217. See 96 across
218. See 230 across
220. The citizens used to be home here. See also 219 across (5,4)
221. Ukrainian team (6)
223. Referee who sent off Keano and then witnessed memorable goal (1,1)
224. Katie’s home town (4)
231. Stylish and sweet-striking former Harrier and Wexford star. See 157 across (3,5)
237. Former Norwegian number 5 at OT. See 250 across (5,7)
238. One of the fastest horses around during WW2 (1,1)
239. Why did he fall (5,4)
240. ? Betis and Sociedad (4)
241. Former late RTE commentator was good at this discipline (1,1)
243. Beaten by 230 across in epic bout (6) 244. Dean or Barney (4)
245. Made unwanted piece of history in December 2019 (1,1)
246. See 238 down
247. Frowned upon at Lords. See also 267 across (5,3)
250. Ooh Ah. See also see 124 across (4,7) 252. Cousin of Rory and Jack (3)
253. Also fell out with the man from Govan (4) 254. How did he stay on the field in 1956? Christian name (4)
256. Ian Hutchinson’s long throw led to his winner (4)
260. Bertie ? Arsenal to the core (3) Crossword devised and compiled by Gerry Forde