Padge Kehoe
Encyclopedia
Padge Kehoe is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club St. Aidan's and with the Wexford
senior inter-county team in the 1950s and 1960s.
with the St. Aidan's club in Enniscorthy
and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1946. Incidentally it was the club's first senior triumph as well. He won a second county title in 1947, before playing a key role in helping the club to capture a three-in-a-row of county victories in 1952, 1953 and 1954. St. Aidan's lost their county title in 1955, however, the team bounced back with Kehoe collecting four consecutive county medals in 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.
senior inter-county team in the late 1940s, however, it was 1951 before he won his first Leinster
title. He subsequently lined out in his first All-Ireland final appearance, however, Tipperary
trounced Wexford by ten points to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. Three years later in 1954 Kehoe was captain of the county team as he captured a second Leinster title. Wexford later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final, however, the result was much closer than Wexford's last final appearance. Cork still won the game by three points Cork a third championship title in-a-row and giving Christy Ring
a record eighth All-Ireland medal. The following year Kehoe won a third Leinster title. Once again, Wexford line dout in the All-Ireland final with Galway
providing the opposition. The men from the West were granted a bye into the final, however, it was Wexford who triumphed by eight points. Kehoe had finally captured a coveted All-Ireland
medal. In 1956 Kehoe added a National Hurling League
medal to his collection as Wexford were quickly becoming one of the most popular hurling teams in history. A fourth Leinster title was quickly followed by a fourth All-Ireland final appearance. Cork provided the opposition once again in one of the most famous championship deciders ever. Kehoe got Wexford's first goal after just three minutes, however, the game is remembered Art Foley
's great save of a Christy Ring shot at goal. The sliothar was quickly scrambled up the field where Nicky Rackard
captured a second goal for the Slaneysiders. That save from Foley denied Ring a ninth All-Ireland medal, however, it gave Kehoe a second consecutive winners' medal. Wexford lost their provincial crown in 1957, however, Kehoe won a second National League medal in 1958. Two years later in 1960 he won a fifth Leinster title before lining out in another All-Ireland final. An over-confident Tipperary provided the opposition yet again, however, a goal from a twenty-one yard free by Kehoe secured the victory for Wexford giving the Glencarrig man a third All-Ireland medal. In 1962 Kehoe won his sixth and final Leinster title. He later lined out in his final Croke Park
appearanace in the All-Ireland final as old rivals Tipperary provided the opposition. It was not to be Wexford's day as Tipp won on a score line of 3-10 to 2-11. Kehoe retired from inter-county hurling following that defeat.
Kehoe also played with the Wexford Gaelic football
team as well in the 1950s. He had little success in this code, however, his most famous moment as a footballer came when he scored a goal to famously put Dublin
out of the Leinster Championship
.
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. In an era when Munster
dominated the competition Kehoe never captured a winners' medal.
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
Hurling
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 his local club St. Aidan's 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 in the 1950s and 1960s.
Club
Kehoe 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 St. Aidan's club in Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1946. Incidentally it was the club's first senior triumph as well. He won a second county title in 1947, before playing a key role in helping the club to capture a three-in-a-row of county victories in 1952, 1953 and 1954. St. Aidan's lost their county title in 1955, however, the team bounced back with Kehoe collecting four consecutive county medals in 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.
Inter-county
Kehoe first came to prominence 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 inter-county team in the late 1940s, however, it was 1951 before 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. He subsequently lined out in his first All-Ireland final appearance, however, 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...
trounced Wexford by ten points to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. Three years later in 1954 Kehoe was captain of the county team as he captured a second Leinster title. Wexford later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final, however, the result was much closer than Wexford's last final appearance. Cork still won the game by three points Cork a third championship title in-a-row and giving 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...
a record eighth All-Ireland medal. The following year Kehoe won a third Leinster title. Once again, Wexford line dout in the All-Ireland final with 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,...
providing the opposition. The men from the West were granted a bye into the final, however, it was Wexford who triumphed by eight points. Kehoe had finally captured a coveted 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. In 1956 Kehoe 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 as Wexford were quickly becoming one of the most popular hurling teams in history. A fourth Leinster title was quickly followed by a fourth All-Ireland final appearance. Cork provided the opposition once again in one of the most famous championship deciders ever. Kehoe got Wexford's first goal after just three minutes, however, the game is remembered 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:...
's great save of a Christy Ring shot at goal. The sliothar was quickly scrambled up the field where 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...
captured a second goal for the Slaneysiders. That save from Foley denied Ring a ninth All-Ireland medal, however, it gave Kehoe a second consecutive winners' medal. Wexford lost their provincial crown in 1957, however, Kehoe won a second National League medal in 1958. Two years later in 1960 he won a fifth Leinster title before lining out in another All-Ireland final. An over-confident Tipperary provided the opposition yet again, however, a goal from a twenty-one yard free by Kehoe secured the victory for Wexford giving the Glencarrig man a third All-Ireland medal. In 1962 Kehoe won his sixth and final Leinster title. He later lined out in his final Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
appearanace in the All-Ireland final as old rivals Tipperary provided the opposition. It was not to be Wexford's day as Tipp won on a score line of 3-10 to 2-11. Kehoe retired from inter-county hurling following that defeat.
Kehoe also played with the Wexford Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
team as well in the 1950s. He had little success in this code, however, his most famous moment as a footballer came when he scored a goal to famously put 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...
out of the Leinster Championship
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
.
Provincial
Kehoe 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 Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. In an era when 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:...
dominated the competition Kehoe never captured a winners' medal.
Post-playing career
In retirement Kehoe remained heavily involved in Wexford hurling. He coached the Wexford team that defeated old rivals Tipperary to capture the All-Ireland title in 1968. It was Wexford's fifth All-Ireland title ever and Kehoe has the remarkable record of being involved in five of thise victories.Teams
External links
- http://www.hoganstand.com/Wexford/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=74111 Obituary