New jersey is a beauty to behold
IT felt some way fitting that one of Wexford’s oldest family run shops was the chosen location for the official launch of the brand new Wexford jersey for 2020. History and tradition looms large at Hore’s Stores and as the crowds arrived, they gathered underneath a photo of the 1956 All-Ireland winning team, a prize possession of the late Johnny Hore.
‘ That belonged to my father,’ said Martin Hore proudly. ‘It’s one of only three in existence. He was offered a lot of money for that from a fella from Boston, but he said it was never to be sold.’
Martin expanded further on the family’s long-standing connection with the Wexford County Board, recalling that it was a regular occurrence, as they sat down to dinner when he was a child, for someone involved with the Wexford hurlers to knock on the door looking for some sliotars to be dropped out to the team.
It was therefore fitting that Hore’s Stores signed on as retail partner with Wexford GAA this year and became the very first shop in the county to offer the new jersey for sale. There was a big attendance at the launch and the new retro looking jersey was selling fast.
‘We’re completely sold out,’ said Martin Hore, mid way through the launch. ‘We’ve sold over 150 jerseys today and we’ve another order of over 200 due to arrive on Friday.’
Star billing on the day went to Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald who was joined by his players Shaun Murphy and captain Lee Chin, as well as footballers Brian and Glen Malone. All of them, particularly Davy, made a big effort with the young fans on the day, posing for photos, signing jerseys and shooting the breeze.
Addressing the crowd, Ger Hore said: ‘We’re very proud to be retail partners. We have a great heritage with Wexford GAA over many years and we’re 75 years in business this year. As you can see we have the 1956 All-Ireland winning team on the wall, beside this year’s team. I think it’s wonderful to see what joy you lads bring to the county and we need to get more young people into sport. The happiness and excitement we got last summer, it was a credit to ye and we all really appreciate the efforts ye go to and wish you the best going forward.’
With divilment in his eye, the Wexford manager announced everything was half price to celebrate, to which Martin shot back: ‘Only the Clare jerseys, because nobody will buy them!’ Davy will certainly be in Wexford colours this weekend as he faces off against his home county.