Harriers recall U-21 win of 1968
THE FAYTHE Harriers Under-21 hurling team which won its second county championship in a row in 1968 had a get-together with some special guests at Wexford Golf Club on Friday.
Unfortunately, the entire full-back line - Brendan Browne, George O’Connor and Liam Bennett - have since passed away.
Their sad premature passing was marked by a minute’s silence in which Pat and ‘Dough’ Murphy and ‘The Da’ Billington, together with Ned Power, their trainer, were also remembered.
The guests included the Chairman of the club, Nicky Keeling, a youthful Kevin Murphy, who is the remaining selector, Willie Murphy and Bernard Doyle who, together with Con Dowdall, were the only three Harriers to win an All-Ireland Under-21 hurling championship medal when Wexford won their only title in 1965. Con Dowdall could not attend and sent his apologies.
The most decorated Harriers player of all time, the great Ned Wheeler, also sent his apologies as he had a family commitment. Jimmy Browne, the former Harriers Senior player, was also a guest.
Tom ‘Gawny’ Walsh (full-forward) travelled all the way from Cavan, and Billy Howlin (centrefield) made the journey from Arklow where he now lives. All the rest of the panel thankfully live in the Wexford area.
The Harriers team which beat Buffers Alley on that day in October 1968 was: ‘Curly’ Lambert; Brendan Browne (R.I.P.), George O’Connor (R.I.P.), Liam Bennett (R.I.P.); ‘Heffo’ Walsh, Ned Buggy, Jim Foley; ‘Kenny’ Walsh, Billy Howlin; Tom Rossiter, Eddie Foley, James Murphy;
Mick Browne, Tom Walsh, Liam Bent. Subs. - Michael Whitney, Denny Grannell, Eddie O’Connor, Andrew Nolan, Tommy Hynes, Patsy Farrell, Brendan Murphy.
Things looked very bad for the Harriers at half-time as they were outclassed throughout the field in the opening period and were 3-8 to 2-3 in arrears.
Some astute changes were made by the Harriers selectors, and the entire team lifted their game to score two goals and eight points while holding their opponents to just two points in the second-half.
Unfortunately, with less than a minute to go a riot broke out, with many nasty and unsavoury incidents occurring which were well covered by the reporters who were present at the match on that day.
When the pitch was invaded, the referee, Paddy Shiggins, wisely blew the final whistle. The match was subsequently awarded to the Harriers.
A very enjoyable night ensured at the Golf Club, with the refreshments provided by chef Emmett and the teas, coffees etc. by the efficient bar staff which ensured that these former hurlers were ready and rearing to go again as it approached midnight.