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09th Jan 2015

Video: Footage of 1997 Wexford hurling semi-final features a sensational finish to the game

Posted by Wexford GAA on YouTube, the comeback by Oulart here, and the final score, are remarkable

Sean Nolan

What a score to level it up by Martin Storey

You don’t need to be a great hurling historian to know that for a few years in the mid 1990s, Wexford were one of the best teams in the country. All-Ireland winners in 1996, and Leinster winners the following year, the team was backboned with legendary hurlers like Liam Dunne, Martin Storey and Larry O’Gorman.

And now, thanks to a great video posted by Wexford GAA this week (it says final but it is the semi), we can relive those three greats going toe-to-toe in an epic club semi-final clash from 1997 at Bellefield in Enniscorthy.

Faythe Harriers, in purple and gold, were the team of O’Gorman and they were looking to end an 16-year wait for a senior title. Oulart-The Ballagh, back then, were relative upstarts but they had won the 1994 and 1995 crowns and after losing it in 1996 to Rathnure, Dunne and Storey wanted their crown.

But with two minutes left in the semi-final, Oulart were down by four points. This footage takes you through the final two minutes, a truly madcap finish and the equalising score, by Storey, is simply sensational.

Oulart would win the replay, and beat Glynn-Barntown in the final. Faythe Harriers would eventually win that senior title, in 2001 but since that 1997 success, Oluart have landed eight more. Finishes like this are why.

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Topics:

Wexford GAA