Reunion held to mark 50th anniversary of Munster Under 21 hurling success

Last Saturday, September 7th, 2024 25 members or representatives of the Waterford U21 hurling panel and selectors reunited in Bridgie Terries, The Pike, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their famous Munster final win over Clare in 1974. Among them, still hale and hearty, was Martin Og Morrissey, centre back on the 1959 All Ireland winning senior team and a selector on the ‘74 U21 team.

Some were unavoidably absent but it was wonderful to see so many members of the panel and selectors relive old memories and experiences. Once again it was a great example of the enduring bond that exists between GAA players, particularly among a group who have shave shared in success. Sadly three members of the panel, Michael Flynn, Seamus Treacy and Jimmy Hennebry, along with selectors John Fraher, Patsy Stone, Ned Power and team manager Tony Mansfield have passed to their eternal reward. They were all fondly remembered in story and prayer.

MUNSTER FINAL SUCCESS

The Munster success in 1974 was Waterford’s first success in the U21 grade. Others followed in 1992, 1994 and 2016. Unfortunately All Ireland success eluded the 1974 team, beaten in heart-breaking fashion by a last minute point by a star studded Kilkenny team. The 1992 and 2016 teams however did achieve the ultimate prize of All Ireland success.

The U21 grade (now U20) was first introduced in 1964 and for the first 22 years of this championship the Waterford team of ‘74 was the only one to break the Cork (10 titles) and Tipperary (11 titles) stranglehold on the title. Limerick was next to make the breakthrough in 1986.

The realisation that there was potential within the Waterford U21 panel of that time first came to light in the Munster semi-final of 1973 when that year’s team ran a star studded Cork team to within 4 points in Cappoquin. Cork went on to win the All Ireland later that year.

With many of the panel underage again in 1974 and with Tony Mansfield providing brilliant leadership as manager, along with his fellow selectors and other mentors, the team was well prepared for a difficult first round away to limerick in Kilmallock. Waterford won that on a score of 4-12 to 2-7 and the team was up and running. With Kerry easily beaten in Munster semi-final it was all systems go for Clare in the Munster final. Clare had come through the more difficult side of the draw containing Cork and Tipperary, and with many of the Clare players also featuring on the team that had qualified for the Munster senior final the previous Sunday, they were warm favourites to beat Waterford. On a difficult and wet night for hurling, Waterford, fired up by Tony Mansfield, prevailed on a score-line of 2-5 to 1-3 in front of an attendance of 8000. Wild celebrations followed as the team had just made history and provided the county with its’ first championship success since the Munster senior hurling win of 1963 and its’ first underage title since the minor success of 1948. Antrim were beaten in the All Ireland semi-final in Casement Park and on September 8th the team faced up to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final in Thurles. Level at half time Waterford played a superb second half against a very strong wind and were leading heading into the last 5 minutes. A late goal and a last ditch point snatched the victory for Kilkenny.

NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA

The All Ireland defeat was heart-breaking for the players, mentors and supporters alike as the entire county, starved of success, had taken the team to heart. For almost 30 years between 1963 and 1992 that ‘74 success was the only championship title of any kind Waterford achieved in hurling. Probably because of that lack of inter-county success the team lived long in the memory of every supporter, it was only when the outstanding U21 team of 1992 came along that people finally stopped talking about the ‘74 team! Even today the players meet many people who constantly refer to the joy and heartbreak of that ‘74 team.

Reunions are nothing new in the GAA world but afford a natural opportunity over a few drinks and some food for old teammates to reconnect and relive former exploits and successes.

Last Saturday the Waterford panel of ‘74 travelled from far and wide and had a lovely evening re-establishing old connections and sharing stories of former times. Newly appointed Waterford senior hurling manger, Peter Queally was on hand to present a scroll to everyone present to commemorate their achievement. Fifty years is a long time but it hasn’t dimmed the fond memories of a group of people who gave so much to each other and their county on the hurling fields back in the Seventies.

Those in attendance were enthusiastic in their thanks to the goalkeeper on that team, Willie Ryan, who worked tirelessly for the last few months to make this reunion the success it was.