Deadly accurate from frees and a goal poacher of the highest calibre A permanent fixture in the Wexford full forward line Wexford's growing stature in the footballing world was clear for all to see recently, when they ran a rattled Dublin team to one point in a National League tie which attracted an attendance in the region of 4,000 to Wexford Park. Slaneyside supporters have been aware of the tremendous strides made by manager Liam Fardy and his charges for quite some time now, but it took a display like this to make the rest of the country sit up and take notice. True, it was only a league game, but one thing's for certain, the Dubs will be travelling with more than a little trepidation to Wexford Park for the first round championship meeting of the sides on May 23rd next. And one man who is looking forward to that clash with relish is Wexford's loyal left corner forward, Billy Dodd, who accounted for six points, five of them from frees, in the recent league clash. A talented attacker who has served his county with distinction over the past six years, the 29 year old Sarsfields clubman will be a key figure as Wexford attempt to maintain their pleasing progress in the future. Though small of stature, Dodd has proved to be a thorn in the side of many a defence in recent times, none more so than in Carlow last November when he contributed an impressive 2-4 tally as Wexford were pipped by eventual winners Wicklow, in the All-Ireland B Championship semi final. His deadly accuracy from frees is interwoven with a penchant for poaching goals, and the combination of these two factors have singled Dodd out as one of the most able attackers to represent the Model County in recent years. A sales manager with ABS Pumps factory in Wexford town, Dodd's budding talent was evident from an early age. Those who were lucky enough to be present still talk about the 1975 Wexford District Under 21 football final when he played a captain's role with a superb individual tally of 2-10 to secure victory for his beloved Sarsfields, over St. Annes. County juvenile and minor medals were to follow, and Billy was a key figure in Centenary Year when he helped the club to victory in the county senior and under 21 finals. It took an additional three years before the Corish Park resident was called up to the county senior team, but he has been a virtual ever-present since in the left corner forward position. During that period, Billy experienced plenty of disappointing days, but his scoring exploits single him out as one Wexford player who is always treated with the utmost respect by opponents. An equally adept kicker with the left or right foot, this adaptability makes him a valuable asset to the Wexford team. Billy's job involves a great deal of travel, but his passion for football is summed up by the fact that he has rarely missed a training session since he first joined the county senior panel in 1987. And while he has been regularly grabbing the headlines in the Wexford jersey, Billy has never lost sight of the fact that the club is the most important unit of the GAA. One of the most loyal clubmen on the Sarsfields' books, he was a unanimous choice for Vice Chairman at the AGM in early January. A person who is widely respected within the club for his forthright views on gaelic football, Billy is currently devoting a great deal of his precious spare time to constructing portable goalposts for the under 12s. This adequately sums up his devotion to the Sarsfields, and certainly his fellow officers on the Executive Committee have been immensely proud of his achievements in a Wexford jersey. Together with John and Paul Harrington and Ger Halligan, Dodd has represented the club with distinction in recent months, and you can rest assured that he will be giving his all as Wexford aim to knock Dublin off their pedestal in the fast approaching Leinster Championship. The remaining league matches against Limerick and Galway are only of secondary importance as the panel gear up for the second visit of the Dubs, although team manager Liam Fardy does acknowledge that it's important for his charges to get into the winning 'groove' in order to be ready to face this formidable obstacle. At the moment, Wexford senior footballers are training three nights a week under lights in St. Patricks Park, Enniscorthy, while they also have a rigorous Sunday morning training session on the sand dunes at Curracloe. Some would say that this is too hectic a schedule for this time of year, but really the team management have no alternative - they will have to peak for the clash with the Dubs which is expected to attract an attendance in the region of 15,000 to spacious Wexford Park. Billy Dodd and his colleagues have been through all the preparations before, but this year seems to be a little different. Wexford have been playing a with a new found purpose and passion since the current league campaign began, and there is a genuine growing belief within the county that the footballers will win a provincial title before the beleaguered hurlers. For a long time, attendances of under 100 watched as Billy Dodd and company gave their all in quest of victory at meaningless Division 3 south ties. However, the restructure of the competition gave them something to look forward to, and this newly acquired zest and zeal has transformed them into a capable and confident side. A lover of all sports, Billy was an accomplished underage hurler with Faythe Harriers, but he decided to concentrate all of his efforts on football after leaving the minor grade. Also a talented soccer player with North End United, he married Edel (nee Doyle) from Peter Street in Wexford town in 1991, and the happy couple are residing in Corish Park, a mere stone's throw away from Wexford Park. One of his nearest neighbours and dearest friends is Billy Walsh, Ireland's boxing captain in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, who grew up with Dodd in Wexford town. The sharpshooting corner forward was Walsh's biggest fan when he was at the height of his distinguished boxing career, which ended after a narrow defeat by Michael Carruth in last year's pre-Olympic qualifiers. Walsh has been concentrating on football since retiring from the ring, and his speed and strength have earned him a call up to the county senior panel. Indeed, the two life long friends figured together on a Wexford senior football team for the first time in New Ross on Saturday last, in a challenge game with Tipperary. Billy Dodd has always managed to play well against Dublin, and he is hopeful that this trend will continue on May 23rd next. Without question, it will be the most important game in his inter county career and should Wexford pull off a famous victory, those seemingly endless hours of training and practices will have been worth it all for the loyal and talented Sarsfields man. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 26th February 1993 Tweet

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