The best Wexford hurling team of last 50 years
Finalising the six forward positions proved a tough task
POP QUIZZES and even jigsaws have become a therapeutic distraction over recent weeks.
And now there is another little matter waiting to be resolved – the final six positions on the best Wexford hurling team of the past 50 years.
Having witnessed all Wexford sides over that period, I still took time out to resort to newspapers, G.A.A. books, websites and long-held personal material relating to the majority of those years.
While all of this provided an abundance of information, certainly freshening the mind which has perhaps gone somewhat slow after all those years, I still very much depended on the naked eye and memory which took me through those campaigns, some more exhilarating than others.
That’s why there will always be so much uncertainty in selecting teams spanning so many decades, given the quality of player that not alone donned the purple and gold on major occasions, but also in some lesser games.
Others shone through at club level, but for one reason or another, failed to make the breakthrough to the inter-county scene.
One saw many outstanding under-age players through that period who eventually took another course in life, perhaps work related.
Some were unable to give of the time that the demands of inter-county endure, but they still played a pivotal role in Wexford hurling possibly at club level through those 50 years.
Over the past two weeks I have selected goalkeeper, full-back line, half-back line and midfield. Now the time has come to move into the attack, and what an onerous task it proved given the quality at one’s disposal.
I have based much of my final selections on personal decisions, and what I witnessed through those years, but it did not make it any easier.
They all had individual claims, some more than others, but when arriving at my final choices, very little separated a special group of players.
This week I reveal the forwards, and to arrive at a final trio for the half line was quite difficult given the quality of player that donned the jersey in this sector of attack.
One’s memory goes back to some of the great players over those early years, before arriving at the later years of hurling when the game was revolutionised beyond comparison.
In olden times one had six forwards on six defenders, but given the structures now in place along with the tactics deployed, one more often sees just five forwards on six defenders, with some forwards now back defending.
In the game long ago, if a corner-forward moved out of his privileged position and went beyond the fringes of the square, he would be in danger of being called ashore.
Some great Wexford forwards emerged through the years. There was the likes of the Quigley brothers, Martin and John, the amazing stickwork of Christy Keogh (R.I.P.), Rory McCarthy’s magic solo runs and goals.
Then there was Johnny Murphy, a real talent, who would have revelled in present day hurling, and Tom Dempsey, who poached that all-important goal in the ‘96 All-Ireland final win over Limerick.
And what about team captain Martin Storey, who had to wait until Senior ranks to don the jersey with such pride.
Then there was Billy Byrne, better known as the super-sub; Paul Codd, one of the best strikers of a long-range point in the game; Paul Morris, of the current era; Conor McDonald, wearing that number 14 jersey that has thrilled Wexford supporters since the county’s breakthough.
I also had to consider, of course, the red-haired Tony Doran who was so prominent over the air waves with Micheál O’Hehir, while goalscoring star Jack Berry also set up many opportunities for the Buffers Alley man.
Fast forward again to Rory O’Connor, who has the potential to be one of the country’s finest forwards, Liam Og McGovern, whose workrate is something to be admired, and Lee Chin, the golden boy of present day hurling, who has exceptional ability.
Everyone will have different views, but it will all depend on what you are looking for.
RIGHT HALF-FORWARD
LEE CHIN: Came onto the scene under Liam Dunne, but it was on the arrival of Davy Fitzgerald that the Faythe Harriers player began to blossom. He has the ability to thrive in so many positions - centre-back, midfield or attack – leaving his manager with so many different options.
When he played centre-back at under-age he was commanding under the high ball, a trait that he still continues when moving into a midfield role, but it’s in the half-forward line that he poses most threat to defenders.
He probably played his best hurling last year. He was the go-to man in the provincial championship, particularly the Leinster final where he emerged with a man of the match display.
He is capable of mixing up his game, with followers recalling that last-minute fetch against Kilkenny to secure the Bob O’Keeffe Cup, that additional time point against the same opponents to earn that provincial final spot, and then his sparkling goal in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary.
If you want a current forward to inspire, it’s Lee Chin, who won his first All Star in 2019.
CENTRE HALF-FORWARD
GEORGE O’CONNOR: George won his first All Star in 1981 as a centre-forward, and his second arrived seven years later as a midfielder.
Throughout his long career, he was recognised as being the most skilful dual player ever to wear the purple and gold. You could probably have played the St. Martin’s clubman in a variety of positions if you wanted.
With the exception of goalkeeper and the full-back line, he would have played in every line, coming from centre-back into midfield, and on to the centre-forward role, with the odd switch to the inside line.
When a Wexford manager needed a job done, George could be relied upon to fix whatever the problem was, whether it was to command a midfield role or man-mark a player out of a game.
When you are talking about George, his athleticism will always form part of the debate, coupled with his aerial ability, with those high catches lifting supporters.
It was fitting that he should end his career after that 1996 All-Ireland victory as he deserved to go out at the top of what was a glittering career.
LEFT HALF-FORWARD
MARTIN STOREY: Martin Storey, for a slightly built player, carried incredible physicality to go alongside his hurling brain and skill. He led the county to All-Ireland success from his centre-forward role, but if one wanted a go-to player, Storey would always be equally effective in any position in the half-forward or full-forward lines.
He had that real sixth sense, a command and control under the high ball, with the skill to strike over incredible points.
He was a player so capable of winning the hard ball, and with an ability to utilise possession to the best advantage of his inside forwards.
For an attacker he was the full package, and a centre-forward like Storey only comes along once in a generation.
When Wexford needed a score he had the knack of picking off points, while he also provided great pace to beat and take on defences. He was an All Star in 1993, 1996 and 1998.
RIGHT FULL-FORWARD
JOHN QUIGLEY: This was a close call involving John Quigley and Rory O’Connor. The young St. Martin’s player is the present day artist in attack, and will feature in many a team over the coming years, but the flamboyant red-haired Rathnure attacker edged it on this occasion.
Such was his stickwork and skill with the hurl that Quigley never really looked under pressure. He was immaculate with the ball on his stick, and he continually teased and tormented defences at both inter-county and club level.
One can always recall his attacking exploits that tormented
Buffers Alley defences on home soil, while his teasing and verbals with that great Kilkenny goalkeeper, Noel
Skehan, are legendary.
Also an outstanding defender, he captained
Wexford to National
League success in
1972-’73 over Limerick from the left-full back position.
He will also be remembered for his second-half impact in the 1968 All-Ireland final victory over Tipperary.
But he reigned supreme when playing out of the corner-forward position in the 1970, ’76 and ’77 All-Ireland final defeats to Cork. He had an exceptional hurling ability to go alongside his footballing exploits with county and club. An All Star in 1974.
FULL-FORWARD
TONY DORAN: This selection did not require any debate. My one and only call was Tony Doran, so renowned in hurling commentary as ‘the red-haired man from Boolavogue’.
A Rolls Royce of a player with such a great engine and heart, he had a huge presence and composure on the edge of the square. He always had the uncanny knack of producing his best for his county and club, whether it was league or championship, or just a challenge game which is deemed so important in teams’ preparations those days.
His reading of the game was exceptional, particularly under the high ball, while his temperament and ability to muscle his way through defenders for all-important goals brought such excitement to the game.
Ferociously competitive, brilliant in the air and on the ground, he was remarkably consistent which was a hallmark of his game. He’s a throwback to the old style full-forward. He filled the number 14 jersey so proudly worn by Nickey Rackard (R.I.P.) with equal pride and splendour.
An All Star in 1976 and All-Ireland Club winner with his beloved Buffers Alley in 1989, along with capturing an All-Ireland Senior hurling medal in 1968.
He was hurler of year in 1976, a National League winner in 1966-’67 and 1972-’73, and also a fine dual player at under-age and adult levels.
LEFT FULL-FORWARD
MARTIN QUIGLEY: One of the great players never to win an All-Ireland Senior hurling medal. He was on the Wexford Minor All-Ireland winning team of 1968 and added a provincial Minor football medal in 1969.
Wexford’s most honoured All Star with four in a row from 1973 to 1976, a remarkable demonstration of the quality and consistency he brought to his game. He had that exceptional ability of being effective in any position in attack.
Won his first All Star in 1973 as a corner-forward, with the remaining three as centre-forward. Rarely injured, he was always available whether in the muck of winter or on the prime surfaces of summer.
Not alone contributed to the small ball game but was also looked upon as an outstanding footballer, both at under-age and adult level. He was consistently brilliant whether with his county or his club, Rathnure, and always produced his best in executing the most difficult skills with ease.
A powerful, physical player, he was always earmarked as having wonderful potential and skills. In the past I had the privilege of playing with Kilmore against both John and Martin in the Nickey Rackard League.
Along the way, Martin won a special place in Wexford hurling as one of the county’s most adaptable players.