Old Rivals in All—Ireland S.H. Title — Fit Galway Could Shock Confident Wexford

The Connacht Tribune, July 28th, 1956

There are four changes in personnel as well as a number of positional switches on the Galway team to play Wexford in the All—Ireland senior hurling semi—final, at Croke Park, on Sunday, from that which went under to the same county in last year's final.

Gone are Bernie Power, Paddy Duggan, Johnny Burke and Tim Sweeney. In their place are Paddy Burke, Martin Murphy, Billy Conway and Micky Cullinane.

The following is the line—out;

Subs.: P. Manton, J. Burke, F. Spillane, T. Conway, T. Maher, P. Dolan, K. Croke, J. Collins, P. Murphy.

Paddy Duggan's selection was not considered as he is still suffering from a leg injury received in the challenge game with Limerick recently.

Last year's full back, Bernie Power, is replaced by Billy O'Neill (who played in the left corner) while Paddy Burke takes over O'Neill's former position. The half back line remains unchanged. Martin Murphy, the star of last year's junior side, partners Joe Sammon at midfield while last year's midfielder, Billy Duffy, moves to the left half forward mark. Joe Young retains his old position on the forty yard mark.

The two Turloughmore players, Billy Conway and Micky Cullinane, replace Johnny Burke and Tim Sweeney respectively at full forward and left full forward.

The team is probably the best that could be selected from the "material" available. The Galway attack in last year's final lacked the necessary weight to cope with the bustling tactics of the heavyweight Wexford backs but the inclusion of Billy Duffy and Billy Conway should counteract that advantage to a great extent. The selectors acted wisely in retaining a half back line that played so brilliantly last year. Fives, O'Neill and Burke should acquit themselves well in the rear line.

If Sammon and Murphy can dominate the midfield exchanges Galway could very well feature in no better than they were last year, and it must be remembered that it was Galway's lack of fitness — not hurling ability — that beat them in the end. This year, under the watchful eye of Billy O'Neill, the players underwent a period of concentrated training and should be as fit as fiddles. If they play at their best for the full hour, then they could create a shock for confident Wexford.

Win or lose, Galway's many followers in Croke Park, on Sunday, are assured of an exciting game between these.

The following is the Wexford Team:

Subs.: T. Morrissey, Paddy Kehoe, M. Codd, T. Bolger, O. Gough, P. Nolan.