Rd delivered in style
It of eight points to topple Tipperary
Willie Murphy, Jack Berry, Phil Wilson, Tom Neville, Tony Doran, es, Jimmy O’Brien, Ned Colfer.
e found the left-hand
points (1-11 to 2-4) s. Wilson and Dave in midfield, but it was at Nolan once again eaving Tom Neville to
ouled in possession evel when Paul Lynch free to the roof of the 1-12) with 14 minutes
k the foundations of eeted Lynch’s effort. ng under the fury of ght. er to the high, lobbing on their goal by Phil Willie Murphy, Vinnie y and company. f Lynch’s goal, John e two tremendous hn Quigley and then ass. efore the finish, Phil Lynch and the latter’s Tony Doran. Doran’s ohn Costigan and he John Donoghue with in front and how the
ent over a glorious our-point lead. At the an saved from Donie uigley had cleared a
Paul Lynch combined ity for Jack Berry, and beat O’Donoghue in a Tony Doran point by 5-8 to 1-12 three nd. Then came what tion Tipp. goals. (Oylegate-Glenbrien); e O’Hanrahans), Eddie Aidan’s), Ned Colfer ns); Vinnie Staples (St. (Rathnure, capt.), Willie ers); Phil Wilson (Ballyhogue-Davidstown), Dave Bernie (Ferns St. Aidan’s); Christy Jacob (Oulart-The Ballagh), Tony Doran (Buffers Alley, 2-1), Paul Lynch (Shamrocks, 1-3, 1-2 frees); Jimmy O’Brien (Geraldine O’Hanrahans, 0-2), Seamus Whelan (St. Martin’s), Jack Berry (Kilmore-Rathangan, 2-2). Subs. - John Quigley (Rathnure) for Whelan, Teddy O’Connor (Rathnure) for Staples, also Pat Nolan (Geraldine O’Hanrahans), Michael Kinsella (Buffers Alley), Michael Jacob (Oulart-The Ballagh), Seamus Barron (Rathnure), Ned Buggy (Faythe Harriers), Mick Browne (Faythe Harriers), Jimmy Furlong (Adamstown).
The best stroke of the 1968 All-Ireland Senior hurling final was executed not on the field of play but in the Wexford dressing-room, a room in which disillusionment, disappointment and pessimism were the pervading emotions at half-time.
The huge Wexford section in the attendance watched in silent apprehension as a despondent team walked to the dressing-room at the interval, their steps dragging with the weight of the eight points deficit on the scoreboard.
Watching from a position in front of the players’ tunnel was Padge Kehoe, the Wexford team manager and former winner of the Sports Star of the Past Award, anxiously watching the players’ reaction to their plight and holding a secretive conversation with former All-Ireland colleague of the mid-fifties, Nickey Rackard.
Shortly after the last players, Ned Colfer and Pat Nolan, had disappered into the tunnel, the brains behind the campaign that led Wexford to their 14th All-Ireland final turned and, with a purposeful step, strode with ominous intent towards the dressing-room, his eyes sparkling with the glint of battle.
Inside the dressing-room, in crypt-like silence, the team was gathered while soup and refreshments were arrayed on a table.
Through the door the team manager stormed, typically carrying a hurley. The ebullient Padge then began a tirade that had an inspiring effect on the team.
The hurley swept down again and again as the manager emphasised his words. The table shook with the force of his blows and from it crashed a collection of crockery.
Padge had a few straight words to put to the team. He told them to get their priorities right.
He stressed their responsibilities and obligations to their county and their thousands of supporters and sent them out to win.
They walked back out, underdogs and badly in arrears, and they did just that.
The Wexford Senior selectors of 1968 were: Tom Donohoe (Buffers Alley), Mick O’Hanlon (Horeswood), Nick Cardiff (St. Martin’s), Syl Barron (Rathnure), Nickey Rackard (Rathnure). Team manager: Padge Kehoe (Enniscorthy St. Aidan’s). Team trainer: Ned Power (St. Peter’s College).
Wexford’s achievement in bringing off the double was all the more notable as it was the first time the county was represented in both finals on the same day, and the first time that the double was achieved since Tipperary’s victories in 1949.
It was also the first Wexford side to win an All-Ireland on which all the members of the Senior team were Wexford born.