Wexford mourns All Ireland winner Jack
Full-forward Harding helped Wexford to All-Ireland win
THE WEXFORD GAA community is mourning the death of hurling legend Jack Harding.
The Shelmaliers clubman was full-forward when Wexford caused a shock by defeating Tipperary on a 2-15 to 0-11 scoreline in the 1960 All-Ireland Senior final.
And the name of Jack Harding should always be prominent when great Wexford hurlers are discussed, as he had the onerous task of following in the footsteps of the legendary Nickey Rackard, who had brought Model county hurling to the top with successive All-Ireland victories in 1955 and ‘56.
Sadly, Jack died on Thursday morning just a little over one week after his 87th birthday. He made his Wexford debut in the 1959-’60 National Hurling League and became an ever-present in the side that went on to win that famous All-Ireland final over the hot favourites from Tipperary.
A very talented forward, he will be best remembered for his ability to win possession and for his accurate distribution to his colleagues.
The bulk of his playing career was spent on the edge of the square for both Wexford and his club, Shelmaliers, a renowned stronghold in both hurling and football.
The high point of his career was undoubtedly that 1960 All-Ireland final victory, but he will also be remembered for some remarkable displays for his club.
That was his sole championship campaign in a Wexford Senior jersey, but those four games between June 19 and September 4 yielded a Leinster medal followed by a Celtic Cross for this durable competitor.
His debut came in a 3-5 to 2-8 provincial semi-final draw with Dublin in Nowlan Park, and he contributed a goal in the 4-6 to 2-7 replay win at the same venue.
The Leinster title was claimed on a 3-10 to 2-11 scoreline versus Kilkenny, and Jack contributed a point in that runaway 2-15 to 0-11 victory over Tipperary in the All-Ireland final.
When Harding was introduced to the Senior side he was following in a long line of Wexford hurlers to adorn the full-forward position.
That number 14 jersey is one of the most famous and sought after in hurling, and the next time it was worn on an All-Ireland winning day for Wexford, the legendary Tony Doran had ownership of it in 1968.
And the Buffers Alley stalwart was to create the same impact as those who wore the jersey before him as, when it came to comparisons, Doran was was right up there beside the great Rathnure man.
Looking back on the sixties, a glorious decade for Wexford hurling in all grades from adult right down to under-age levels, one will always remember the start of that era.
It was a glorious Sunday afternoon in Croke Park when Harding and his colleagues created a huge shock, decimating warm favourites Tipperary with a display of hurling never to be forgotten.
Defying popular belief before an attendance of 67,154, Wexford inflicted a crushing 2-15 to 0-11 defeat on the Munster champions. Their power packed hurling was reminiscent of the team of the ‘50s, and the opposition had no answer to it.
It was a victory that brought such joy to Wexford followers who had travelled in their thousands to Croke Park.
The side was inspired by a scintillating display from John Nolan of Oylegate-Glenbrien, on his championship debut, outplaying the legendary Jimmy Doyle to the shock of Tipperary supporters and the national media alike.
The report of the final in the ‘Evening Press’ by Seán Og O Ceallacháin remarked on the speed and zest at the start being an eye-opener, and in a matter of minutes the forwards were cutting lanes through a shocked Tipperary defence.
Wexford’s victory was purely one of treamwork and combination. As they flashed the ball about, Jack Harding was a prominent player on the fringe of the square.
Despite being faced by what was always described as the Hell’s Kitchen fullback line of Kieran Carey, Michael Maher and John Doyle, Harding - like the ‘Bold Shelmalier’ - faced up to the challenge, and his man-on-man jousts with Maher always brought the thunderous noise of the clash of camáns.
Shaking off any doubts, Harding became an astute leader in that cauldron, distributing the ball cleverly, while creating the space and openings for his fellow attackers as they ripped the Tipperary defence asunder. On the day he inspired a Wexford side that simply outclassed the favourites.
Born on June 23, 1933, Harding made his debut for Wexford at Senior level in the 1959-’60 National Hurling League, going on to win the Leinster title the following year with that two-point final victory over arch-rivals Kilkenny in Croke Park.
He played his club hurling with his native Shelmaliers, enjoying some success through a lengthy career.
He won county Junior hurling championship medals in 1954 and 1966, while he was on the Shelmaliers team which lost the 1957 Intermediate final to Geraldine O’Hanrahans by 6-7 to 5-6 in Bellefield on November 3.
That game was refereed by Jimmy Goodsion who served as a long-time Wexford District Secretary, having enjoyed a glorious football career with Volunteers and Wexford.
As the years moved on, Harding was still an integral part of the Shelmaliers club, being actively involved through the years.
A remarkable individual, perhaps the real club highlight for the legendary full-forward arrived in 2014 when his beloved Shelmaliers won the county Senior hurling title for the first time, defeating St.Anne’s (Rathangan) in the replayed final.
And then in 2018 they added a county Senior football crown, with victory over Kilanerin following another replay.
Jack Harding may have finished his career without a county Senior hurling medal, but he left his mark firmly on the game both at local and national level.
If ever a man deserved such a medal, Jack Harding from the townland of Kilmacoe in Curracloe was in that category. But he treasured those Leinster and All-Ireland Senior medals after his long and distinguished career, and they ensured he gained national recognition.
Husband of the late Mary, he will be fondly remembered and treasured by his devoted children, John, Tommy, Christine, Theresa, Eddie, Paddy, Caroline and Seamus.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.