Wexford hurling great Ned Wheeler has died at the age of 87.

Standing at 6'2", Wheeler won three All-Ireland medals in 1955, '56 and '60 along with six Leinster championships and three Railway Cups. He played a central role in the rise of Wexford hurling along with fellow legends Art Foley, Nick O'Donnell and the Rackard brothers, Nicky and Bobby, making his debut as a 17-year-old in 1949 before becoming a regular at centre forward / midfield in 1951. The Slaneysiders defeated Laois that year to win their first Leinster SHC title since 1918.

Wexford subsequently lost the All-Ireland final to Tipperary, but they continued to improve over the next few years and eventually lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 1955 after beating Galway in the final. They memorably retained their crown at the expense of Christy Ring's Cork in '56 and were champions again in 1960 after trumping Tipp.

Wheeler retired in 1965 after coming on as a substitute in the Model County's All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary. He continued to play club hurling until 1968 with Faythe Harriers, with whom he won three county senior championship medals.

Ned also garnered three Railway Cup medals with Leinster in 1954, '56 and '64.

Wheeler was born in Rathdowney, Co. Laois but moved to Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny as a five-year-old before settling in Wexford 10 years later.

May he rest in peace.

Follow the hoganstand.com live match tracker this weekend for latest score and minute-by-minute updates from the football and hurling championships.

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