Just found this on the GAA site-
Wexford Achieve the First Four in a Row
To most followers of Gaelic games today it would be simply inconceivable that Wexford could be the first county to achieve the remarkable âfour in a rowâ. How could a county famed for the Rackards and Martin Storey ever have produced such a side?
Of course those with an inkling of the Model County will say that the big ball game has always had a good ground level of support but back in 1910 it seemed like hurling would be all the rage. The county side had just won their first ever hurling All-Ireland while the footballers remained firmly in the shade. Their names may not trip off the tongue today but in those times men like the OâKennedy brothers, Father Ned Wheeler and Aidan Doyle were among the most renowned men in the game of football.
The Early Years
Yet the county was in no way prepared for the success to follow. Between 1913 and 1918 Wexford were constant Leinster champions and in 1915 their dominance in the province would finally translate to the national stage. In 1913 and 1914 the Model men were to face a fine Kerry side, renowned as the best to represent the Kingdom before 1920. The '14 final was particularly cruel with the game ending a draw after Wexford had built up an impressive five point lead at half time. The replay too saw the Leinster champions race to an imposing lead but again the spirit and class of Kerry closed the gap and eventually overtaking the Wexford challenge. The breakthrough was surely around the corner.
The Breakthrough
A third Leinster crown was safely in the bag after victories over Kilkenny, Offaly and Dublin and when Cavan were disposed of in the semi-final all eyes again turned to a meeting with the old foe Kerry at Croke Park. The 30,000 crowd saw Wexford leave the field at half-time with a two point lead thanks largely to a Gus OâKennedy goal. A rather lucky goal by corner back Jim Byrne was to seal the win despite a spirited fightback by Kerry in the remaining minutes.
A Revolutionary Year Without an Upset
The good times had at last arrived and the revolutionary year of 1916 saw Wexford tighten their grip on power in the world of football. The final against Mayo was actually played the week before Christmas on a bitterly cold day in front of only 3,000 hardy enthusiasts. Father Ned Wheeler returned for the final meaning the champions fielded all bar one of the 15 who had made the breakthrough a year previously. The game turned out to be a one-sided affair with Wexford easily defeating the Connacht challenge by eight points. Mayo were to feel no shame at such a defeat as the Model County had racked up impressive wins over Meath, Kildare and Monaghan, (in Carrickmacross), on the road to the final.
The three-in-a-row is secured
1917 was to severely test the mettle of the All-Ireland champions and their first real test came in the Leinster final when only a late goal from Aidan Doyle prevented a defeat against the Dubs. After an easy win over Monaghan in the semi-final, Clare awaited for the big day in Croke Park. The game was no pretty spectacle and the final scoreline of nine points to five did not reflect the battle Croke Park witnessed that day between two fiercely committed teams. The three in a row was achieved for only the third time. Dublin had been the only county to do so, managing the feat twice at the turn of the century.
History is made
1918 was to see the reappearance of Kerry in the championship after a two year absence due to a dispute with the county board over money. The championship was a mammoth affair with the Leinster final only being played on the 19th January 1919 when Louth were beaten by 2-5 to 1-4. The final against Tipperary would be one of Wexfordâs finest hours as they took the field that day without their inspirational captain Sean OâKennedy while brother Gus was less effective due to an injury he was carrying. Father Ned Wheeler was no longer playing and Tom Mernagh and Frank Furlong were also injured. After trailing by a point at half-time Wexford finally grabbed victory through Jimmy Redmond point with seconds remaining.
Seven months later their reign would come to an inglorious end when Dublin were to beat them by 0-11 to 1-1 in the Leinster final. Their reign as All-Ireland champions had lasted three years, seven months and 21 days. History had been made.
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