No medals, but what a team
Coveted Celtic Cross eluded this gifted hurling group
THERE ARE many great players who never won an All-Ireland Senior hurling title.
They might be minus a precious medal, but they still left a legacy and many memories.
Having an All-Ireland medal to your name is often viewed as the be-all and end-all, but several players without that accolade gave wonderful service to both county and club over lengthy careers.
While these players may not have reached the promised land, they created an abundance of talking points, memories that will be stored for generations to come.
Seasons passed for these players still striving for the holy grail of hurling, with the achievement of reaching that goal best illustrated by George O’Connor following the 1996 All-Ireland final victory over Limerick.
O’Connor, who had planned on retiring until coaxed back into the frame by his cousin, Liam Griffin, on his appointment as manager, did eventually call it a day following that first Sunday in September, but having achieved his lifelong ambition of bringing home that Celtic cross.
It was in late September, 1979, that O’Connor made his Senior hurling debut when Wexford beat Offaly in the Oireachtas final in Croke Park by three points.
The St. Martin’s clubman, a tall, lean youngster, was up on the podium as Wexford lifted the trophy, but little did he believe that he would have to play through a further 17 years to fulfil that cherished dream of lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
O’Connor demonstrated what it all meant to him. When Seán Flood was declared unfit for the final, O’Connor was drafted into a starting position in midfield, and that All-Ireland chance had arrived.
On the final whistle, with Wexford twopoint victors, O’Connor dropped to his knees. The sight of the tall midfielder in Croke Park, with hands joined in silent prayer, remains one of the most powerful images from this, or probably any, generation.
It was his last game for Wexford. He played a club game a fortnight later, but he knew it was time to sign off.
When the special bunch of Wexford players, who never won an All-Ireland, reflect back on their respective careers, the memory of George O’Connor on that September day in Croke Park will be always uppermost in their memory of what it must mean to take home that coveted medal.
While all of these players grew up sharing a dream of wearing the purple and gold on All-Ireland final day, many of them achieved this, but unfortunately the results failed to go their way. And as a result they ended lengthy inter-county careers without the Celtic cross to show for their efforts.
Time never stood still for these players and history will be kind to them, particularly when one reflects back on their achievements.
Indeed, no fewer than six Wexford players who failed to win an All-Ireland medal were honoured by the All Star selections committee.
Indeed Martin Quigley, who played in that dramatic All-Ireland Minor final victory of 1968, is Wexford’s most honoured All Star, having received the accolade in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.
He also played on losing All-Ireland final Under-21 sides, with defeats to Cork in 1969 and 1970, while he captained the U-21 team to a further loss to the
Leesiders in 1971.
Amazingly, Martin endured more final defeats than any other Wexford player, also being on the losing side in three All-Ireland Senior finals, all to Cork in 1970, ‘76 and ‘77.
Incidentally, in that 1970 final it was a unique day for the Quigley brothers as four made the starting 15, namely Dan, Martin, John and Pat.
Martin also had just one National League medal to show for his efforts, from 1973 when Wexford defeated Limerick in the final, but defeat was to follow in the deciders of 1982 (Kilkenny) and 1984 (Limerick).
Modern day players have no idea what it was like back then. There were years when there was only one big outing in the straight knockout championship. Even still, Wexford players managed to figure in the All Star selections, but not as regularly as one would have liked.
Two wing-backs who would have held their own in any inter-county side, Colm Doran and John Conran, were honoured in 1973 and 1987 respectively, while Christy Keogh achieved his All Star accolade in 1977.
I still can see him winding up for that late goal attempt on Martin Coleman in the All-Ireland final of that year when only a great save denied Keogh and Wexford glory. He will be fondly remembered as one of hurling artists.
Of all the All Stars, the achievement of Eamon Cleary in 1989 must rank highly up there as the Rathgarogue-Cushinstown man was the only Wexford player honoured on that occasion.
Meanwhile, Wexford’s finest full-back since the days of Nick O’Donnell, St. Anne’s clubman Darragh Ryan, was fittingly recognised in 2001 following a tremendous season.
In looking at the Wexford players who have never won an All-Ireland, I have decided not to include present day players whom I have confidence in to reach the pinnacle of hurling over the coming 18 months.
In arriving at Wexford’s best 15 players never to win that special medal, one had to take into consideration players who were so unlucky not to have achieved their ambition of helping their beloved Model county to All-Ireland success.
Out of respect to those players still performing, I have dealt solely with those who have retired from the inter-county scene.
When researching, one came across so many names of players who strove valiantly for Wexford through their respective careers.
Taking in the years from 1965 to 2016, and wandering through the respective teams, all of which I would have seen playing, what immediately struck was the quality of player that wore the purple and gold.
Names such as John Nolan (Geraldine O’Hanrahans), Henry Butler (Buffers Alley), Matt Browne, Colm Doran, Martin Lyng, Mick Butler, Eddie ‘Heffo’ Walsh, Liam Bennett, Christy Keogh, Enda Murphy, Fr. Martin Casey, Henry Goff, Johnny Murphy, Con Dowdall, Eoin Quigley, Paddy Kehoe (Oulart-The Ballagh), Jimmy Holohan, John Conran, Barry Murphy, Pat Kenny, Paudge Courtney, Dick Shannon, Ger Flood, Tom Walsh (Cloughbawn), Tomás Dunne, Paul Bridges, Ger Flood, Joe Mooney, Michael O’Leary (Rathnure), Darren Stamp, Keith Rossiter, Ciarán Kenny, Oliver Cullen, Nick Power (Balyhogue), Joe Foley, Seánie Kinsella, Rory Kinsella, Niall McDonald, John Tobin, John McDonald, Billy Rowsome, Declan Rowsome, Eamon Cleary, Dermot Prendergast, Darragh Ryan, Willie O’Neill, Pat Hanrick, Paul Gahan, Eamonn Sinnott,
Seán Whelan, David Sheehan, Pat Flynn, Tom Byrne, Jimmy Prendergast, Michael Collins, Joe Murphy and Ted Morrissey.
Anyway, the time has arrived to name what I believe is the best Wexford 15 never to win that coveted All-Ireland Senior inter-county hurling medal.
(1) HENRY BUTLER (Buffers Alley): Was always unlucky to have missed out on a regular goalkeeping spot. A stalwart of the hurling scene, he was a player one could always rely upon between the sticks, a good shot stopper and confident on the ball.
(2) EAMON CLEARY (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown): Did most of his hurling from full-back, although he did feature in the corner of the defence on occasions. Finished up his career as a full-forward. Brought a deserved first All Star to his club.
(3) DARRAGH RYAN (St. Anne’s): A player who would have fitted into any position in defence. Emerged as one of the great full-backs of his era. Never let the county down through some difficult years. Deservedly honoured with his All Star, having offered a tall, physical and skilful presence on the fringe of the square.
(4) KEITH ROSSITER (Oulart-The Ballagh): If any player was unfortunate to retire without the Celtic cross, then it’s Keith Rossiter. He became one of the most respected defenders through an illustrious playing career. While always being imposing, it was his skill set that always won out.
(5) JOHN CONRAN (Rathnure): Just like Rossiter, a tireless, skilful player both for county and club. One of the finest defenders of his era. A strong, physical presence, he was always an imposing presence with his stickwork and ability, seeing him outplay many a top-class forward.
(6) MATT BROWNE (Shamrocks/ Rapparees): A physically imposing figure in the centre of any defence. Unlucky not to have achieved All-Ireland success in 1970, he was one of the many fine defenders to emerge from Wexford’s Intermediate successes. A respected back right through his career.
(7) COLM DORAN (Buffers Alley): A defender who loved to play it strong and direct. He was an outstanding wing-back and most respected. He capped his career with a single All Star but deserved an All-Ireland, as he was a defender who came into his own on the big occasions.
(8) FR. MARTIN CASEY (Buffers Alley): Brought power to his hurling, as he would go through a stone wall in search of possession. The Kerry native was always good to win hard-earned possession around midfield, with the forwards loving his direct delivery of the ground ball.
(9) RORY KINSELLA (Naomh Eanna): Was a player who was under-rated, particularly at inter-county level. He delivered on the inter-county scene and his direct style of play saw him emerge with distinction. He proved a real driving force whether from midfield or the half-forward line.
(10) JOHNNY MURPHY (Crossabeg-Ballymurn): Strong in the air, an artist with ball in hand. Played in both the 1976 and 1977 All-Ireland finals. He possessed everything one wanted in a forward. He was skilful, and always good for scores, with an ability to win his own ball despite his slender frame.
(11) MARTIN QUIGLEY (Rathnure): A four-time All Star, without doubt one of Wexford’s finest hurlers never to win an All-Ireland Senior title, suffering losses in three finals. He was one of those forwards who loved to run through the centre taking on defenders. Brought cuteness and power to his hurling. A great dual player for his county.
(12) CHRISTY KEOGH (Shamrocks/ Rapparees): Like Quigley, Christy was another unlucky player never to win the Celtic cross. One of the most skilful forwards in the game, he was a character with a lethal eye for goal. A powerful player, he possessed skill in abundance.
(13) SEANIE KINSELLA (Naomh Eanna): A sharp-shooting forward, he always looked dangerous when his skill set him on that route towards goal. Fast, skilful and accurate, and had a bit of cuteness about him too.
(14) JIMMY HOLOHAN (Rathnure): An accurate forward who always stepped up when Wexford needed him. He could drive the ball with unerring accuracy both from frees and sideline cuts, boasting scorching power in his deliveries on goal. He may not have been the quickest, but made up for it with his finishing skills in front of goal.
(15) MICK BUTLER (Buffers Alley): Lost out in three All-Ireland finals in 1970, 1976 and 1977. He possessed a really clean strike of the ball, even under pressure. An outstanding under-age player, his heroics took him through to adult level at a young age and we saw some memorable performances from him.