Ned Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Ned Wheeler is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Faythe Harriers
and with the Wexford
senior inter-county team from 1949 until 1965.
with the famous Faythe Harriers
club and enjoyed much success. He first tasted success in 1960 when he won his first senior county title. It was the first time that the Faythe Harriers club had captured the senior county championship. Two years later in 1962 Wheeler added a second county medal to his collection. He won a third and final county title in 1965.
senior team in the late 1940s. He made his debut in 1949, however, it would be 1951 before he became a regular on the team. That year he won his first Leinster
title as Wexford defeated Laois
by 3-12 to 4-3. It was the county’s first senior provincial title since 1918. Wexford later accounted for Galway
in the penultimate game of the championship, setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary
. Tipp were the overwhelming favourites and were looking for a third championship in-a-row. Nicky Rackard
was the star player for Wexford, however, it was Tipp who won the game by 7-7 to 3-9.
Wexford lost out to Dublin
and Kilkenny
in the next two Leinster finals. The team bounced back in 1954 with Wheeler winning a second Leinster medal after defeating Dublin. Wexford later trounced Antrim
by 12-17 to 2-3 to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork were the opponents on that occasion as a record crowd of 84,856 traveled to Croke Park
. Wexford led by four points with seventeen minutes left to play, however, history was against Wheeler’s team. Cork were hoping for a third All-Ireland in-a-row and Christy Ring
was hoping for a record eighth All-Ireland medal. In the end it was ‘the Rebel’s who won the game by 1-9 to 1-6.
In 1955 Wexford retained their provincial dominance with Wheeler collecting a third Leinster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Limerick
providing the opposition. The team was trained by Mick Mackey
, however, they were completely outclassed by Wexford who qualified for another All-Ireland final. Galway had got a bye into the final without picking up a hurley, however, they took the Wexford men to task. Wexford trailed at half-time; however, a Tim Flood
goal near the end clinched the victory for Wexford. It was Wheeler’s first All-Ireland
medal and Wexford’s first championship title since 1910.
1956 got off to a good start as Wheeler added a National Hurling League
medal to his collection. By this stage Wexford were earning a reputation as a great team and they proved it by retaining the Leinster title for a third successive year. Galway fell heavily in the All-Ireland semi-final, allowing Wexford to advance to an All-Ireland final meeting with Cork. The game has gone down in history as one of the all-time classics as Christy Ring was bidding for a ninth All-Ireland medal. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliothar up the field to set up another attack. Nicky Rackard scored a crucial goal with two minutes to go giving Wexford a 2-14 to 2-8 victory. In spite of Cork's loss Wexford’s Nick O'Donnell
and Bobby Rackard
, in an unparalleled display of sportsmanship in any game, raised Christy Ring onto their shoulders and carried him off the field. Wexford had won the game and Wheeler had collected his second All-Ireland medal but there was no doubt in their minds that the real hero was Ring.
Wexford lost their Leinster crown in 1957, however, Wheeler collected a second National League medal in 1958. Two years later in 1960 Wexford were back on top and Wheeler collected a fifth Leinster medal. This victory over Kilkenny allowed Wexford to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Tipperary were the opponents. Wheeler’s side got off to a good start with a quick goal by Mick Hassett. A second goal was scored by Oliver ‘Hopper’ McGrath
just after the interval to put Wexford in the driving seat. With a minute to go the crowd invaded the pitch thinking that the game was over. When the disorder was cleared Tipp continued but only had twelve players on the field. Bill Moloughney scored a later point for Tipp; however, this was not entered into the official records. It was too later in any case as Wexford won by 2-15 to 0-11 giving Wheeler his third All-Ireland medal.
Wexford lost their provincial crown in 1961, however, Wheeler captured a sixth Leinster medal in 1962 as Kilkenny fell by 3-9 to 2-10. Another All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary beckoned for Wexford and Wheeler. The Leinster men got off to a bad start as Tom Moloughney
and Seán Moloughney scored two goals for Tipp inside the first minute. Wexford fought back and the game remained level for most of the rest of the match. Jimmy O'Brien
from Wexford scored a remarkable goal from all of seventy yards out. It was not enough for Wexford as Tipperary won the game by 3-10 to 2-11.
The next few years saw Wheeler relegated to the substitute’s bench; however, e was still an important member of the team. In 1965 Wexford faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland final once again. Of all their meetings in recent years this proved to be the most one-sided. Wheeler came on as a substitute, however, Tipp won easily with two unorthodox hand-passed goals by Seán McLoughlin
. Tipp also scored seven unanswered points in the last quarter to win the game by 2-16 to 0-10. This was Wheeler’s last appearance for Wexford as he retired immediately after the defeat.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his first Railway Cup medal in 1954 as Leinster defeated Munster
. Wheeler won further Railway Cup medals in 1956 and 1964.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Faythe Harriers
Faythe Harriers
Faythe Harriers is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Wexford town, Ireland.-History:The history of the Faythe Harriers stretches back to the early 1940s, although the hurling club wasn't formed until 1949. In the late 1930s, the Mulgannon Harriers were the G.A.A...
and with the Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior inter-county team from 1949 until 1965.
Club
Wheeler played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the famous Faythe Harriers
Faythe Harriers
Faythe Harriers is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Wexford town, Ireland.-History:The history of the Faythe Harriers stretches back to the early 1940s, although the hurling club wasn't formed until 1949. In the late 1930s, the Mulgannon Harriers were the G.A.A...
club and enjoyed much success. He first tasted success in 1960 when he won his first senior county title. It was the first time that the Faythe Harriers club had captured the senior county championship. Two years later in 1962 Wheeler added a second county medal to his collection. He won a third and final county title in 1965.
Inter-county
Wheeler first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the WexfordWexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior team in the late 1940s. He made his debut in 1949, however, it would be 1951 before he became a regular on the team. That year he won his first Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
title as Wexford defeated Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
by 3-12 to 4-3. It was the county’s first senior provincial title since 1918. Wexford later accounted for Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the penultimate game of the championship, setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
. Tipp were the overwhelming favourites and were looking for a third championship in-a-row. Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
was the star player for Wexford, however, it was Tipp who won the game by 7-7 to 3-9.
Wexford lost out to Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in the next two Leinster finals. The team bounced back in 1954 with Wheeler winning a second Leinster medal after defeating Dublin. Wexford later trounced Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
by 12-17 to 2-3 to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork were the opponents on that occasion as a record crowd of 84,856 traveled to Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. Wexford led by four points with seventeen minutes left to play, however, history was against Wheeler’s team. Cork were hoping for a third All-Ireland in-a-row and Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
was hoping for a record eighth All-Ireland medal. In the end it was ‘the Rebel’s who won the game by 1-9 to 1-6.
In 1955 Wexford retained their provincial dominance with Wheeler collecting a third Leinster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
providing the opposition. The team was trained by Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Ahane club from 1930 until 1948 and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1930 until 1947. Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game...
, however, they were completely outclassed by Wexford who qualified for another All-Ireland final. Galway had got a bye into the final without picking up a hurley, however, they took the Wexford men to task. Wexford trailed at half-time; however, a Tim Flood
Tim Flood
Thomas Timothy Flood , is a former professional baseball player who played second base for the St...
goal near the end clinched the victory for Wexford. It was Wheeler’s first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal and Wexford’s first championship title since 1910.
1956 got off to a good start as Wheeler added a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
medal to his collection. By this stage Wexford were earning a reputation as a great team and they proved it by retaining the Leinster title for a third successive year. Galway fell heavily in the All-Ireland semi-final, allowing Wexford to advance to an All-Ireland final meeting with Cork. The game has gone down in history as one of the all-time classics as Christy Ring was bidding for a ninth All-Ireland medal. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
Art Foley
Michael Arthur Foley , better known as Art Foley, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Aidan's of Enniscorthy and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1956.-Club:...
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliothar up the field to set up another attack. Nicky Rackard scored a crucial goal with two minutes to go giving Wexford a 2-14 to 2-8 victory. In spite of Cork's loss Wexford’s Nick O'Donnell
Nick O'Donnell
Nick O'Donnell was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Éire Óg in Kilkenny and St. Aidan’s in Wexford. He was also a member of both the Kilkenny and Wexford senior inter-county teams from 1947 until 1962...
and Bobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1945 until 1957. Rackard is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:...
, in an unparalleled display of sportsmanship in any game, raised Christy Ring onto their shoulders and carried him off the field. Wexford had won the game and Wheeler had collected his second All-Ireland medal but there was no doubt in their minds that the real hero was Ring.
Wexford lost their Leinster crown in 1957, however, Wheeler collected a second National League medal in 1958. Two years later in 1960 Wexford were back on top and Wheeler collected a fifth Leinster medal. This victory over Kilkenny allowed Wexford to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Tipperary were the opponents. Wheeler’s side got off to a good start with a quick goal by Mick Hassett. A second goal was scored by Oliver ‘Hopper’ McGrath
Oliver McGrath
Oliver 'Hopper' McGarth is a former Irish sportsman. He played hurling with his local club Faythe Harriers and with the Wexford senior inter-county team in the 1950s and 1960s.-Club:...
just after the interval to put Wexford in the driving seat. With a minute to go the crowd invaded the pitch thinking that the game was over. When the disorder was cleared Tipp continued but only had twelve players on the field. Bill Moloughney scored a later point for Tipp; however, this was not entered into the official records. It was too later in any case as Wexford won by 2-15 to 0-11 giving Wheeler his third All-Ireland medal.
Wexford lost their provincial crown in 1961, however, Wheeler captured a sixth Leinster medal in 1962 as Kilkenny fell by 3-9 to 2-10. Another All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary beckoned for Wexford and Wheeler. The Leinster men got off to a bad start as Tom Moloughney
Tom Moloughney
Tom Moloughney was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Kilruane McDonagh's and was a member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team from 1960 until 1963. Moloughney won two All-Ireland titles, three Munster titles and two National Hurling League titles with...
and Seán Moloughney scored two goals for Tipp inside the first minute. Wexford fought back and the game remained level for most of the rest of the match. Jimmy O'Brien
Jimmy O'Brien
Jimmy O’Brien is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Geraldine O’Hanrahans and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1957 until 1968.-Club:...
from Wexford scored a remarkable goal from all of seventy yards out. It was not enough for Wexford as Tipperary won the game by 3-10 to 2-11.
The next few years saw Wheeler relegated to the substitute’s bench; however, e was still an important member of the team. In 1965 Wexford faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland final once again. Of all their meetings in recent years this proved to be the most one-sided. Wheeler came on as a substitute, however, Tipp won easily with two unorthodox hand-passed goals by Seán McLoughlin
Seán McLoughlin
Seán McLoughlin is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team from 1958 until 1969.-References:-Teams:...
. Tipp also scored seven unanswered points in the last quarter to win the game by 2-16 to 0-10. This was Wheeler’s last appearance for Wexford as he retired immediately after the defeat.
Provincial
Wheeler also lined out with LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his first Railway Cup medal in 1954 as Leinster defeated Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
. Wheeler won further Railway Cup medals in 1956 and 1964.