‘One of the best performances’
ONE of the best performances by any Wicklow team was the winning of the Junior All-Ireland home football title in 1969.
The team started off with an easy victory over Carlow in the opening round on a score of 4-12 to 0-1.
The team that lined out on that occasion was: Pat Cronin (Stratford), Jim Bollard (Stratford), Chris Keogh (Dunlavin), Willie Whelan (Dunlavin), John Doyle (Donard), Pat Hedderman (Tinahely), John Davis (Ballinstoe), Mosey Coffey (Rathnew), Tommy Glynn (Glenealy), Tom Humphries (Stratford), Liam Keogh (Dunlavin), Mick Behan (Ashford), Joe Cullen (Stratford), Noel Carty (Ashford), Johnny McDonald (Rathnew).
In the second round the Garden County men fought off a strong challenge from neighbours Wexford to win on a score line of 1-6 to 0-7 which saw the game played in Aughrim on April 13, which saw one of Wicklow’s all time greats Tommy Foley play his part after coming on as a substitute.
The men in blue and gold continued their good run in the campaign when they beat Kildare in another close game, 1-8 to 0-7. Mick O’Toole of St Patricks and Carnew’s Billy Hilliard replaced Joe Cullen and Tommy Glynn while Gerry Moran from Tinahely also played his part when he came on as a substitute.
Wicklow faced Meath in the Leinster final in Croke Park on July 6, and after playing great stuff the men from the Garden County emerged victorious on a score line of 2-5 to 0-5 to bring the first Leinster title in 20 years.
Midfielders Mosey Coffey and Tom Foley controlled the centre while Mick O’Toole took his scores like a true champion to pave the way for victory.
Team: Pat Cronin, Willie Whelan, Chris Keogh, Pat Hedderman, Mick Behan, John Davis, Gerry Moran, Mosey Coffey, Tom Foley, Tom Humphries, Noel Carthy, Mick O’Toole, Joe Cullen, Murthy Doyle, Johnny McDonald.
The next big day out was on Sunday, September at Aughrim when they face a powerful Galway team in the All-Ireland semi-final which included household names at the time such as Christy Tyrell, Tommy Sands, Brendan Colleran which left Wicklow hopes far from high but once again the Garden County side rose to the occasion to score a 1-9 to 0-8 victory.
St Patrick’s club man Mick O’Toole had another towering game, while Pat Cronin kept another unbeaten record with some wonderful saves. The only change from the Leinster final victory saw the introduction of Willie Wall from Baltinglass and Liam Keogh from Dunlavin for Murph Doyle and Joe Cullen, while Murt Doyle and Jim Bollard came on as subs during the game and other subs included Tommy Glynn, John Doyle, Pat Carty, Joe Cullen John Simpson, Jim Power, and Billy Hilliard.
Next up came the big day, Sunday, September 14, at Croke Park, when Wicklow faced the might of Kery and were not given a chance against a team that included well know names as Moss Keane, the well-known rugby star of latter years, John O’Keeffe, and several more Kerry stars,
Wicklow suffered a blow during the lead up to the final when the Ballinstoe man John Davis cried off due to injury sustained at work which saw Stratford’s Joe Cullen replace the injured player.
Wicklow were headed only once during the game when Kerry opened the scoring with a point
Even though playing against the breeze in the opening half, the men from the Garden County lead at half-time by 0-5 to 0-3.
Seven minutes into the second half Wicklow had stretched the lead 0-10 to 0-3, and it looked like a runaway victory.
Kerry didn’t score their first point of the second half until 14 minutes had gone and went on to add two more points while Wicklow replied with a point which saw the score reading 0-11 to 0-6.
At this stage Kerry started an all-out effort to reduce the deficit but with play flowing from end to end both sides exchanged a point each which proved to be Wicklow’s last at 0-12 to 0-7. Kerry finished strong and went on to add a goal and a point, but time ran out which saw Wicklow score a glorious win to to be crowned worthy champions.
Team lined out as follows: Pat Cronin, Willie Whelan, Chris Keogh, Pat Hedderman, Mick Behan, Gerry Moran, Joe Cullen, Tom Foley, Mosey Coffey, Tom Humphries, Mick O’Toole, Johnny McDonald, Liam Keogh, Noel Carthy (captain), Willie Wall. Subs: Pat Carthy (Ashford), John Doyle (Donard), Murt Doyle (Rathnew), Tommy Glynn (Ashford), Jimmy Hogan (Tinahely), Jim Power (Arklow Geraldines), Jim Bollard (Stratford), John Simpson (Shillelagh).
This triumph was achieved by a total of 23 players who lifted the doom and gloom that had descended on Wicklow GAA during the sixties.
The team made steady progress during the campaign under the guidance of Noel Carty, who proved to be an excellent captain. Jimmy Hatton, a member of the selection committee, helped a lot because of his experience as an All-Ireland final referee. Captain Mick Farrell proved to be a wonderful trainer, while County Chairman Pat Murphy proved to be a great motivator.
Wicklow had to face a powerful London side in the final proper when they suffered their first defeat for the year going down on a score line of 3-9 to 1-12 after a hard-fought game.
It goes without saying that 1969 will be a year to remember.