Tipperary and Wexford's ten previous meetings
July 01, 20101899 All Ireland final ( played on 24th March 1901)
Tipperary ( Horse & Jockey selection ) were defending Champions and on the trail of a fourth All Ireland title in five years, when they faced Wexford (Blackwater) in the first championship clash, between the counties Both teams travelled to Dublin by train, with Tipp leaving from Horse & Jockey and arriving at Kingsbridge (Heuston). Wexford won the toss and played into the Clonliffe end ( Railway goal).An attendance of circa 4,000 witnessed a spirited Wexford perform well in the opening minutes. Tipp got moving after the tenth minute and they were leading comfortably, before a Wexford goal left the Premier men ahead, at half time, by 2-6 to 1-3. The opening minutes of the second half saw scores traded ,Mikey Maher scored Tipp's first point, but by the 45th minute Tipp had the honours all wrapped up. The game came to an unexpected end, when a third Wexford player was injured and there wasn't a sub available .This was Wexford's third All Ireland final defeat in three appearances.
Details of the scoring in those days were often overlooked in the match reports, but the Tipp (17 a side) selection was- Tim Condon (captain), Joe O' Keeffe, Billy (Big Bill) Gleeson, Jack Gleeson, Richard O' Keeffe, Jim O' Keeffe, Denis Walsh, Mikey Maher, Johnny Walsh, Jack Flanagan, John Ryan, Mike Wall, Watty Dunne, Phil Byrne, Jack Maher, William (Little Bill) Gleeson, Tommy Ryan.
A contemporary summary noted that ''… Tipperary were far superior in speed and overhead striking, but the Wexford men were best at ground work..''
Another report reflected on ''.. the solid vigilant and defiant defence of Wall Condon and Walsh… and the dashing attack of Maher, O'Keeffe, and Gleeson, ever on the prowl for goals..''
The match officials were Mr. A Mc Keogh , Chairman of the Dublin County Committee, which also provided the linesmen, in Messrs JJ Mc Cabe and P Nash. The umpires , who used white and red flags on the day, were Messrs Ryan, O'Gorman, Mc Inerney and Walsh. Wexford's official dinner that night, in The North Star Hotel ,was attended by GAA founding father ,Michael Cusack.
A set of gold medals, costing 25 pounds was presented to the Tipperary team, in 1902.
1951 All Ireland Hurling Final
This was an unusual pairing and Wexford hadn't won the title, since 1910, nor appeared in the decider since 1918. Their team brought great support and with three Rackard brothers aboard, the Model County was heading for success . On this occasion, they had to give best to a Tipperary team which was claiming the county's second ever three in a row. Wexford's challenge was a serious one and after Nicky Rackard scored their first goal, by bundling Tony Reddin into the Tipp net, the champions had to change tactics. The early scores were mainly registered by Nicky Rackard and Paddy Kenny and by the 20th minute Wexford led by 2-4 to 1-4 -with Tipp's goal coming from Seamus Bannon. In the remaining time Timmy Ryan and Ned Ryan scored Tipp goals and gave the Premier men a 3-6 to 2-6 ht lead. Tim Russell pointed twice for Wexford early in the second half, but goals by Sonny Maher and Timmy Ryan put Tipp back in control. Seamus Bannon and Mick Ryan scored a goal apiece and after 25 minutes, Tipp led by 7-7 to 2-8. Nicky Rackard scored his third goal of the day from a free, but it was too late and Tipp were champions by 7-7 to 3-9.
It was felt by many observers that Wexford tried for goals too often and wasted some good point scoring opportunities. Paddy Kenny was the outstanding player on the pitch and scored all of Tipp's 7 points. Tony Reddin made some wonderful saves with Pat Stakelum and Tommy Doyle also excellent in defence.
An unusual aspect to the Tipp team was that Sean Kenny, who was unfit to play, replaced his brother Paddy, when he was injured in the closing minutes. Jimmy Finn, at 19 years of age, became Tipperary's youngest ever All Ireland winning captain.
Tipperary earned 11 frees , Wexford 22, while Tipp shot 15 wides , and Wexford 10. Tipp were awarded 2 '70s' while Wexford had 5. Gate receipts were 8,705 pounds - the largest ever for an All Ireland final in either code.
1960 All Ireland Hurling Final
Tipperary's Munster Final win over Cork (4-13 to 4-11) led to them being installed as hot favourites to win the All Ireland title. Having beaten Kilkenny, by two points, in the Leinster final , Wexford prepared well and some astute selections saw them blunt Tipperary's forward line. The new Patron of the GAA Most Rev. Dr. Tom Morris threw in the ball to start the game. 'Hopper' Mc Grath opened the scoring with a point after 20 seconds, to set the tone. A deflected goal from a Padge Kehoe free at the Railway goal, after three minutes, was the decisive score of the first half. Wexford powered on and having led by 1-5 to 0-2 after 18 minutes ,a Tipp scoring blast in about four minutes reduced the deficit to two points before four points were shared, leaving Wexford ahead at ht by 1-7 to 0-8.at half time .Another Wexford goal from Oliver 'Hopper' McGrath in the opening minute boosted the Leinster champions . After 10 minutes, Wexford had eased out to 2-12 to 0-9 and despite more urgency in the Tipp play they couldn't get the goal they needed. The pitch was invaded just before the finish, when a spectator in the Hogan Stand blew a whistle, which was thought by many to be the end . With order restored ,the irrelevant final moments were played out. Wexford were champions anyway, with an unexpected ten point winning margin for the county's fourth All Ireland title. Padge Kehoe was their scoring hero with 1-6, in what was their first championship win over Tipperary.
The performance of championship debutant John Nolan, who held Jimmy Doyle to one pointed free, was the talk of the day. Tipperary spent too much of the game trying to get the ball in their hands and it was a tactic which failed badly. Both teams struck 10 wides , Tipp won 13 frees and Wexford 10 while the Premier men earned all three '70s' awarded in the game.
Tipperary's full back Mick Maher recently refuted the suggestion that the Munster Final took too much out of Tipp that it cost them the All Ireland final . He reckoned that the five weeks between the two games was sufficient time for recovery and to prepare for the Wexford challenge. He credited Wexford with playing very well on the day and thought that they worked hard throughout the field to achieve victory. It was Tipperary's first All Ireland final defeat since losing the 1922 decider to Kilkenny.
1962 All Ireland final
Many old timers will tell you that this was the best of the All Ireland finals between Tipperary and Wexford. Tipp were defending All Ireland Champions and favourites to win, but they worked hard to lift the cup by two points. Having won the toss the defending champions played against the slight breeze into the Canal end. The game started in a whirlwind and Tipperary had two goals on the board after only 90 seconds of play thanks to Tom Moloughney and Sean Mc Loughlin .A great recovery by Wexford culminating in a superb overhead goal by Ned Wheeler after 25 minutes levelled the scoring, but two Jimmy Doyle frees and another from Sean Mc Loughlin sent Tipp in at half time leading by 2-6 to 1-6.Doyle increased Tipp's lead on the turnover , but a long range goal by Jimmy O' Brien, as Maher and Wheeler tussled fiercely around the square ,lifted Wexford and Willie Rackard levelled the game from a '70' ,at 2-7 each. Ned Wheeler and Liam Connolly exchanged points, before Wexford went ahead with a point from a Padge Kehoe free. Tim Flood doubled their advantage after 17 minutes. After some efforts were repelled Tipp came again.
The decisive goal was scored by Tom Ryan ( Killenaule) in the 20th minute, following a superb pass from John 'Mackey' Mc Kenna. Padge Kehoe levelled again from a free with nine minutes to go. The exchanges became more competitive as the minutes slipped by and Donie Nealon fired over a point after 24 minutes of play. Wexford tried everything to get an equaliser, but it was Sean Mc Loughlin who pointed, just before the end, to ensure victory for Tipperary, in an unforgettable game.
The final was noteworthy for some tremendous first time play and overhead striking, while the man to man the exchanges were hectic. The battle on the edge of the Tipp square between Ned Wheeler and Mick Maher is often recalled as the duel of the day. Tipperary captain Jimmy Doyle , who had scored four points retired injured in the second half and it was his club mate ,Tony Wall, who received the Mac Carthy Cup on behalf of the winners. Despite the intensity and fluctuating nature of the contest, there were only 16 frees awarded. during the game 7 to Tipp who hit 11 of the 19 wides and earned three of the five '70s'.
This was the first All Ireland Senior hurling final televised by RTE .
1965 All Ireland final
Tipperary were at the peak of their powers at this time, having beaten Cork in the Munster Final by an astonishing 18 points (4-11 to 0-5). Wexford had beaten the holders, Kilkenny, by one point, in the Leinster final, but had a young team with some survivors from the early sixties. The game was only a contest for 15 minutes and Sean Mc Loughlin's brace of goals within thirty seconds ,John Mackey Mc Kenna's point scoring excellence, allied to the deadly Jimmy Doyle , ensured that Tipp, who led by 2-5 to 0-6 at half time, were always in control. Wexford tried hard after the break, but Tipp continued to fire over the points and John Doyle's record equalling eight All Ireland Medal was claimed long before Mick Hayes ( former Clare goalkeeper) blew the full time whistle. This game also saw Tipperary winning its 21st All Ireland senior hurling title and Jimmy Doyle , who had retired injured in the 1962 final when captain , received the Liam Mac Carthy Cup from GAA President, Alf Murray.
The game marked the end of former heroes, Ned Wheeler and Oliver 'Hopper' Mc Grath, who both went in as substitutes for the Slaneysiders Larry Kiely the Tipp centre forward added a Senior All Ireland medal to his Junior equivalent, which he won with Kildare in 1962.
1968 All Ireland final
Tipperary had beaten Clare ( 5-11 to 5-6) and Cork (2-13 to 1-7 ) to win the Munster title and having beaten Wexford by 12 points in the 1965 All Ireland Final they started as favourites. Wexford had victories over Dublin (3-15 to 1-11) and Kilkenny ( 3-13 to 4-9). Tipperary dominated the first half inspired by their captain Mick Roche at centre back . Jimmy Doyle's goal and point scoring helped Tipp to establish a 1-11 to 1-3 lead , but for the concession of a green flag to Tony Doran before the break and some great goalkeeping by Pat Nolan, the game would have been decided after thirty minutes. The decisive switches saw John Quigley introduced before half time, with Paul Lynch going to centre forward and Tony Doran to full forward.
Padge Kehoe's half time pep talk had the desired effect and Paul Lynch's goal from a '21' free levelled the scoring after fourteen minutes, at 3-6 to 1-12. Jimmy Doyle, having hobbled around at full forward ,eventually left the pitch with an injured ankle and his scoring power was missed. Jack Berry and Tony Doran goals put Wexford in the driving seat and they were eight points ahead, before late goals by 'Babs' Keating and Sean Mc Loughlin brought Tipp back into contention. Time ran out and Wexford had won an amazing Final (5-8 to 3-12) ,which was again refereed by Tullamore's John Dowling. Tipperary had reason to regret the unavailability of the durable John Flanagan, due to suspension.
1997 All Ireland Semi Final
This was the first time that the counties met, while Wexford were defending All Ireland champions. Tipperary came back into the championship via the new system, which gave Provincial final losers in Munster and Leinster a second chance. After Clare had beaten them by a goal, Tipp restructured their team adding more power to their defence .They beat Down in the first ever back door quarter final, at Clones, on July 26th and came face to face with the Leinster and All Ireland Champions, at Croke Park ,on August 18th. Tipp were inspired by John Leahy, who scored a vital goal after five minutes and his club mate Brian O' Meara who scored another six minutes before half time after Damian Fitzhenry had saved a rasper from Leahy. Tipp led at the break by 2-7 to 0-7. Wexford were unfortunate to lose their captain, Rod Guiney, to injury after four minutes and Rory Mc Carthy was also withdrawn injured, at half time. Wexford made inroads in the second half and reduced Tipp's lead to four points on three occasions, but couldn't get any closer .Tipp's fearless half back line of Liam Sheedy, Colm and Conal Bonnar kept them in control and the inner line of Paul Shelly, Noel Sheehy and current selector, Mick Ryan, ensured that goal scoring opportunities were rare. Not even Billy Byrne's arrival, with nine minutes to play, could salvage this one for Wexford.
Among the strange goings on, in a game refereed by Cork's Joe O' Leary, were the booking of Tipperary's team Doctor and a refusal to let the Wexford Doctor on to the pitch, to treat Rory Mc Carthy after his first half collision. Tipp's main marksmen were John Leahy (who retired with facial bruising after 51 minutes, following a superb display at wing forward) 1-4) , Thomas Dunne( who was splendid at midfield ) 0-4 and Brian O' Meara (highly influential at left corner forward) 1-1 .Paul Codd landed 0-8 for Wexford .
2001 All Ireland Semi Final ( Draw)
Wexford had sustained a thirteen point defeat, in the Leinster final, against Kilkenny, but a quarter final win over Limerick suggested they would challenge Tipperary who had beaten the Shannonsiders, by just a point more, in the Munster final. The opening quarter ran to form, with the teams level on four points each. Two more points were exchanged but Tipp took over in the concluding twelve minutes, adding 1-4 ( John Carroll scored the goal after 31 minutes) without reply, to lead by 1-9 to 0-5 at the break.
Lar Corbett increased Tipp's lead to eight after half time and the Premier county still led by that margin when Larry O' Gorman smashed in a goal at the Railway end after 48 minutes. The goal followed the introduction of Martin Storey, who had come out of retirement, as a substitute.
Mark O' Leary steadied Tipp before Rory Mc Carthy scored another goal for Wexford , to reduce the margin to one green flag. An exchange of points, 4-2 , stretched the Tipp lead to five points ( 1-16 to 2-8 ) .Larry O' Gorman struck again with his second goal after 66 minutes and now the tension was palpable. Adrian Fenlon pointed and as the game went into injury time, Michael Jordan levelled. Wexford had a late chance to win but the shot went wide . Nevertheless, they had salvaged a well deserved draw, when Pat O' Connor blew for full time. Tipp's top marksmen were Eoin Kelly 0-5 ,3 frees, Mark O' Leary 0-4 and John Carroll 1-1.Wexford's main hit men were Larry O' Gorman 2-0 Ml Jordan and Paul Codd 0-4,3 frees and 1 '65' each. Tipperary were lucky to survive, but after hitting 14 wides , there was room for reflection.
2001 All Ireland Semi final ( Replay)
The replay took place six days later and the Saturday evening was wet and miserable. In front of a 39,000 crowd, Tipp started well and led by 1-4 to 0-1 after 20 minutes, but by half time the game was finely balanced ,with only a point between them, 1-6 to 0-8. The main talking point from the opening half was the dismissal of Brian O' Meara and Liam Dunne, on the advice of a linesman. Wexford also had Ml Jordan dismissed just before the break and their post interval effort was underwhelming, in many respects.
As it was, Wexford only scored two points in the second half, per Codd and Barry Goff, while Eoin Kelly (0-9, 6 frees) and Eugene O' Neill (2-1) turned Tipp's dominance into scores. John Carroll kicked Tipp's first goal and Mark O' Leary ,( who was obliged to miss his brother's wedding and whose planned after match air trip was abandoned due to weather conditions, leading to a late night car journey to County Kerry) scored 0-2.
Paul Codd topped the Wexford returns with 0-7, 5 frees. Pat Horan from Offaly was the referee on this occasion. The Wexford Manager Tony Dempsey in response to the three dismissals opined ''..It wasn't a dirty game. There has always been a friendship between our two counties''.
2007 All Ireland Quarter Final
In the third year of the four All Ireland Quarter finals, Tipp's reward for beating Cork in the qualifiers and winning their group was a date with Wexford at Croke Park, in another Saturday game. The Tipperary selection saw Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly on the substitutes bench, but despite that and a long season (three games and two periods of extra time against Limerick followed by qualifier games against Offaly, Dublin and Cork) Tipp were still optimistic of reaching the All Ireland semi final.
Inspired by Lar Corbett's 19th minute goal ,Tipp led at half time by 1-8 to 1-5. Wexford had missed three good opportunities in that half, with Tipp custodian Gerry Kennedy saving twice from Eoin Quigley and once from Barry Lambert, when goals looked certain. Eoin Kelly came in as a sub after 26 minutes and he had a goal bound shot saved by Damian Fitzhenry, early in the second half. The game was tight enough thereafter.
Tipp hit a great spell between the 56th and 66th minutes and with points from Shane Mc Grath, Hugh Maloney, Darragh Hickey and Eoin Kelly, from a long free, they moved clear at 1-14 to 2-9.
With one minute of normal time to play, Wexford were awarded a free to the right of the Tipp goal, at the Davin stand. After a defender crossed the line of the ball, it was moved to a more central position, by the referee, James Mc Grath ( Westmeath) . There followed a predictable trip from goal of Wexford's captain Damian Fitzhenry, who smashed the sliotar to the net, to give Wexford a one point lead.
Tipp tried to respond, but their best efforts came to nothing and it was Eoin Quigley who pointed again for Wexford, in the 4th minute of injury time.
Wexford's top scorer was Barry Lambert 1-2, while Lar Corbett 1-1 and Darragh Hickey 0-4 led the way for Tipp . Wexford's Keith Rossiter was considered to be the Man of the Match.
This was Tipperary's third consecutive quarter final loss- following Galway in 2005 and Waterford in 2006. This defeat marked the end of 'Babs' Keating's two year term as Tipp Manager, during which time they failed to win League ,Provincial or All Ireland honours.
Information provided courtesy of Tipperary PRO Ger Ryan. Tweet
