SARS CELEBRATE

Golden anniversary of 1967 title treble

STALWARTS AND friends of the Sarsfields club gathered in the Talbot Hotel recently to celebrate a tremendous treble that has only been accomplished once thus far in the history of Wexford G.A.A. They were out in force to look back on the glorious year of 1967 when the Butters had the proud distinction of winning the Senior, Under-21 and Minor championship titles. The achievement was regarded as a sensation at the time, and the fact that it hasn’t been repeated highlights how special it was in the competitive world of Gaelic games. And it was a particularly memorable year for five players who had the distinction of featuring in all three winning grades. The youngest of the lot, 17-year-old Donal Kavanagh, went on to represent his native Kerry at centre-forward in the All-Ireland Senior football final of 1972 when they lost to Offaly in a replay. And he was joined by club legend Jim Roice, the full-back on all three teams, as well as Jim Murphy, Eddie ‘Heffo’ Walsh and Martin Carey, with the latter represented at the function by his sisters, Bernadette and Ursula.

Cllr. Jim Moore, Mayor of Wexford, was the special guest for the event, with club Chairman Killian Duignan bestowing a warm welcome to the stars of the past on behalf of the current committee.

Former player Cllr. George Lawlor was the M.C., and special presentations were made to the chief organisers of the function, Marian Roice and Liz Crowley, for their wonderful work in bringing all the heroes of the past together again.

It was a poignant night too, as those no longer with us were fondly remembered. And there was a special round of applause for Martin Bergin when he accepted an award on behalf of his late father, Martin ‘Forky’ Bergin, who died on July 11th, 1967, from injuries sustained in the club’s first round Senior win over Wexford District.

The sole surviving selector, Eddie Pender, was also honoured, having masterminded those wins along with the late Paco Sheehan, Pat White, Seán Siggins and Joe Brennan.

For the record, the Sars beat Castletown by 0-13 to 1-8 in the Senior final, and defeated Rathnure on the double: 5-5 to 1-4 in the Minor decider, and 2-9 to 0-3 in the Under-21.

of scrolls recognising the achievement of those who played with all three teams, Minor, Under-21 and Senior. From left, back – sh, Jim Roice, Donal Kavanagh and Jim Murphy; seated – Mayor of Wexford Jim Moore, Bernadette and Ursula Carey, accepting in...

Talbot Hotel.

Paco Sheehan receives a scroll on behalf of his late father Paco, who was the team trainer, from Mayor Jim Moore and Killian Duignan, Sarsfields chairman.

Eddie Pender (centre), the sole surviving team selector, is presented with a scroll by Mayor Jim Moore and Killian Duignan, club chairman.

Paul Brennan receives a scroll on behalf of his late father Joe, a selector in 1967, from Mayor Jim Moore and Killian Duignan, club chairman.

Liz Crowley and Marian Roice, chief organisers of the function, with Killian Duignan.