High-fielding JOHN HARRINGTON with his team mates all set to make the football world sit up and take notice Wexford Senior footballers face their moment of truth in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday next when they take on the might of Dublin in the Leinster championship quarter final. All those strenuous nights on the training field since the appointment of new team manager, Liam Fardy, last October have been geared towards this game, with the Slaneysiders anxious to prove that football is on the up and up in the county. What Wexford may lack more than anything else is the self belief which comes from winning regularly because they have several individuals capable of holding their own with the very best. One man in this mould is towering midfielder, John Harrington, who hasn't looked back since making his Senior championship debut against Offaly in O'Connor Park, Tullamore in 1988 A permanent fixture on the team over the past four years, John has played in a variety of positions with considerable distinction. However, midfield is his natural berth, and his athletic high fielding and strong running single him out as a player the Dubs will have to watch and treat with respect on Sunday. A member of the famous Sarsfields club in Wexford town, John first came to the forefront on the inter-county scene when he starred on a strong Minor team who were unlucky not to make the breakthrough in 1985. Wexford made the rest of the country sit up and take notice when they defeated Dublin by 0-9 to 0-7 in the provincial quarter final, but a missed penalty proved costly when they bowed out to Offaly by 1-8 to 1-6 in the penultimate round. John continued to make fine progress, and he played a key role on the County under 21 team who brought the Faithful county to four games in that memorable Leinster final saga in 1988. It was only a matter of time before he made his debut at Senior level, and this chance came sooner than expected when Wexford were decimated by injuries before their first round clash with Offaly. The long-striding performer lined out in the unfamiliar position of full forward, and it proved to be a disappointing start to his Senior career as the Midlanders coasted to an easy victory. However, John had done enough to hold his place for the 1988 - '89 League campaign, and he has become a familiar face on the Wexford side in the intervening period. His displays have also attracted much attention from outside the county, and he made a bold bid for selection on the last Ireland team to take part in the Compromise Rules series against Australia, just failing to make the final panel. Now John's sights are firmly set on the clash against Dublin on Sunday, a game which has attracted widespread media attention because of the change of venues for safety reasons. Wexford have been making steady progress since Liam Fardy took over as manager, with qualification for the O'Byrne Cup final against Meath acting as a huge boost in confidence. And football in the county is definitely on a high, with the Juniors capturing the Leinster title and the Minors outclassing a highly-rated Dublin team in the provincial quarter final. It goes without saying that a Wexford win on Sunday would be a major shock, but there is a quiet air of confidence in the camp as they train diligently for the game in St. Patrick's Park Enniscorthy. This could be the stage that John Harrington will shine on, and certainly Wexford will be looking to him to produce the goods in the midfield exchanges. John comes from a well-known G.A.A. family, with his younger brother, Paul, also a member of the Wexford Senior panel. He is every inch a Sarsfields man, having been born and bred in Carrigeen Street, the area where the club was formed back in 1907. Second eldest in a family of four boys, John's parents have also played vital roles in the smooth running of this well-known club. His father, Dan, a native of West Cork, is a former club Chairman and currant County Board representative, who also acted as Secretary to the County Senior football team for many years. And his mother, Pat, a native of Adamstown, has been a key member of the ladies committee which is an essential part of any well-organised club. The Sarsfields haven't won a County Senior title since Centenary Year, but they have made a fine start to this year's campaign, with wins over Gusserane. St. Anne's (Rathangan) and Castletown, and a draw with Rathgarogue- Cushinstown, setting them up for a place in the league semi final and the championship quarter final. They have a fine representation on the inter county. Senior panel, with John Harrington joined by his brother Paul, and two long serving campaigners in Ger Halligan and Billy Dodd. And with John providing some inspirational leadership from midfield, this could well be the Sarsfields year. However, at the moment he isn't looking beyond next Sunday, and the game against Dublin which could make or break this Wexford team. With a little belief in their own ability, the Slaneysiders could make a few football followers sit up and take notice, and you can bet that John Harrington will be doing his all to ensure that they will do themselves justice in this eagerly-awaited clash. Taken from Hogan Stand Magazine 26-06-92 Written by Alan Aherne. Tweet

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