Pathetic Galway No Match for Wexford in Semi—final

The Connacht Tribune Saturday, August 4, 1956

Introduction

Wexford 5 — 13
Galway 1 — 8

Never has a Galway team given such an inglorious display at Croke Park! In the All—Ireland senior hurling semi—final with Wexford on Sunday Galway were beaten to a frazzle in all but a few positions and in the end were 17 points in arrears.

After a bright opening that gave promise of better things to come, Galway lost control at midfield, the forwards could do little against a magnificent Wexford defence and the backs, although still playing all—out, had to give second best to Nickey Rackard and Co.

Everything pointed to a Wexford victory when they led by 2—7 to two points at the half—way stage. Galway fought back in the second half and held the upper hand for a period when they had a goal and three points in succession. Any faint hopes of a Galway recovery were soon dispelled, however, when Rackard banged home two goals and two points for good measure.

Despite the fact that Galway were severely trounced, the hurling all through was excellent, with some brilliant flashes. An erratic wind played havoc with the ball in the early stages when easy frees were driven wide, and a heavy shower in the second half made the going very difficult. To their credit, both teams made light of the difficulties and served up much thrilling hurling.

Panic Decisions?

Both teams lined out as selected, but in the end the Galway team bore little resemblance to the selected side. In desperation, many unorthodox switches were made; for a while they gave Galway a slight pull in attack, but weakened the defence. Truth to tell, many looked like panic decisions. Johnny Molloy, who was having a fairly good game at centre half back, moved to full forward and Jim Fives, one of the best backs, also went to the attack. Martin Murphy took over Fives' position and Joe Young went to mark Morrissey. Billy Duffy changed to midfield with Jimmy Duggan and Joe Sammon switched to the forwards.

The Wexford goal had some very narrow escapes before Galway's short period of superiority ended. Ned Wheeler and Jim Aherne took over control at midfield again and, as far as Galway were concerned, the game was over.

Prior to the match, Galway fans were fairly confident of victory. They felt that the team was fitter and stronger than last year. Leaving Croke Park, they were a sorely disappointed group. Defeat is not too bitter when it can honestly be said that a team gave a competent performance and gave the winners a run for their money. That was not the case. Never has a Galway combination given a more pathetic display. With the exception of Boland, Fives, O'Neill, Paddy and Micky Burke and Tommie Kelly, the rest of the side never struck top form. Towards the end they were completely beaten team and it was only a question of how great would Wexford's tally be at the final whistle. Galway's defeat was complete. They appeared to be fit enough but they were no match for Wexford when it came to caman craft. The burly Wexford backs blotted out the forwards while at midfield, Sammon and Murphy were beaten to the pull nine times out of ten.

While Bob Stakelum was an efficient referee, some of his decisions, to say the least, were unusual. Frees given against Billy O'Neill on a few occasions were poorly received by a big section of the attendance.

It was a great day for the champions. After a shaky start, the forwards got down to serious business and their policy of feeding their scorer—in—chief, Nicky Rackard, paid rich dividends. The backs, in which Billy Rackard, Nick O'Donnell and Jim English were outstanding, showed their true worth in the second half when Galway put on the pressure.

At centrefield Ned Wheeler and Jim Aherne, particularly the former, were in devastating form and for three—quarters of an hour never gave their different opponents a "smell".

Little need be said of the Wexford forwards. That five goals and 13 points were scored against a strong Galway defence is tribute enough to Nickey and his hard—working partners. Tom Boland had a great first half in the Galway goal and could not be blamed for the two shots that passed him, both from 21—yard frees by Nick Rackard. He had to retire injured at half—time and Kenneth Croke was a good substitute. The latter had one brilliant clearance from a piledriver by Rackard. In front of him Billy O'Neill gave a tremendous display against the star of the Wexford team, but in the end there was no holding the rampant Rackard. Jim Fives had the better of the exchanges with Dixon and signalised his appearance in the attack in the second half with a brilliant goal. In the other corner Paddy Burke outplayed Ryan.

Micky Burke had about an even break with Tim Flood but after a great start, Johnny Molloy was often beaten by Morrissey. On the wing, Tommie Kelly was more than a match for Padge Kehoe.

Enough has been said already about Galway's midfield pairing and the less said about the forwards the better. Mickey Cullinane, Paddy Egan and Joe Young were hard triers throughout but could never gain the upper hand.

The Play

It was exhilarating hurling for fourteen minutes with the only mistakes being made by the Wexford forwards, who had totted up five wides, two off simple frees by N. Rackard. Then Galway took the lead with a grand point by Conway.

It was short lived, for English scored a superb point from 90 yards out.

A minute later, Padge Kehoe moved out to the left and sent over the leading point and then Hearne pointed from half way.

In the 22nd minute N. Rackard at last found the range when he beat the packed Galway goal to send a 21—yard free crashing to the net.

Sammon pointed a Galway free, but there was no holding Wexford at this stage and after N. Rackard had palmed the ball to the net after the whistle had gone for a free, he again rammed one of his specials home for Wexford's second goal.

He was almost in again a moment later but lost possession on the edge of the square and Ryan lofted his ground drive over the bar for a point. Dixon and Padge Kehoe (free) added further points for Wexford and seconds after the half—time whistle in the 33rd minute Young had the ball in the Wexford net.

Second Half

Half—time: Wexford, 2—7; Galway, 0—2.
Sammon pointed two Galway frees on the restart, but Wexford negatived these with points by Flood and Willie Rackard off a "70".

A shot by Hearne was well saved, but weakly cleared, by K. Croke, and N. Rackard snapped up the chance to score a goal with a fierce drive.

Galway then had their best spell, with Fives scoring a goal after a fine effort by Egan had hit an upright, and points following from Molloy, Sammon and Conway, but Wexford took over again, and N. Rackard had two points off frees.

Following a free by Duffy, Cullinane pointed for Galway, but this was their last register, and N. Rackard rounded off a spectacular display with two great goals and a point from long range.

Just before the end, W. Rackard went off with a head injury, quite accidentally incurred, and, happily, not serious.

Wexford: A. Foley, R. Rackard, N. O'Donnell, N. Hanlon, J. English, W. Rackard, M. Morrissey, S. Hearne, E. Wheelar, T. Flood, T. Ryan, N. Rackard, T. Dixon. Sub: O. Lynch for M. Morrissey, and T. Morrissey for W. Rackard.
Galway: T. Boland, J. Fives, W. O'Neill, P. Burke, M. Burke, J. Molloy, T. Kelly, J. Sammon, M. Murphy, W. Duffy, J. Young, J. Duggan, P. Egan, W. Conroy, M. Cullinane. Sub: K. Croke for Boland.

Kilkenny Victory

Kilkenny 4 — 8
Galway 2 — 4

Kilkenny were flattered by their double scores victory over Galway in the All—Ireland minor hurling semi—final, played before the senior game at Croke Park on Sunday.

The Galway lads gave as good as they got for three—quarters of the game but their forwards could not match the Kilkenny boys in scoring ability. Kilkenny were a shade quicker on the strike and showed better team—work in attack.

Galway had a brilliant full—back in Mick Sweeney (Loughrea) while P. Broderick, J. Conroy, M. Gillane and Naughton also shone in defence. Lally was good at midfield while Lyons, Quigley and Dervan were the pick of the forwards.

Molloy, Fitzgerald, Brennan, Buckley, Blanchfield, Moran and Dillon were brilliant for Kilkenny.

Scorers for Kilkenny, who led by two points at half—time were: Molloy (3—2), Fitzgerald (1—0), Buckley (0—2), Dunne (0—2), Brennan, (0—1) and Comerford (0—1), Lyons (1—2), Neary (1—0), Fox (0—1) and Lally (0—1), replied for Galway.