The 1964 Tipperary Under-21 team will be honoured by the County Board and Templemore Arms Hotel at the county senior hurling semi-finals, which take place at Semple Stadium on Sunday. The team made history when they won the first ever All-Ireland final in the grade by defeating Wexford in the final at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny by 8-9 to 3-1 on October 4, 1964.
According to Jim Fogarty, in his recently published history of the under-21 hurling championship, The Cross of Cashel: ‘The game was infinitely more entertaining than the final score would suggest. Tipperary would have won by an even greater margin but for the heroic efforts of Wexford full-back, Dan Quigley. Tipp’s superiority stemmed from their
superb midfield pairing of Mick Roche and Joe Fogarty and the sheer brilliance of Michael Keating, who bamboozeled the opposition at will. Tipp’s midfield duo scored three goals. Others who starred for the Premier county were goalkeeper, Peter O’Sullivan, Willie Smith, Noel O’Gorman, Owen Killoran, Noel Lane, Francis Loughnane and T. J. Butler. Wexford
battled with great heart but it was all in vain against a much superior team.’ Captained by Francis Loughnane from Roscrea, Tipperary performed equally impressively in their earlier games. In the Munster semi-final at Tipperary Town, they defeated Cork by 6-9 to 1-1. In the Munster final at Walsh Park they were superior to Waterford by 8-9 to 3-1,and in the All-Ireland semi-final, played at Roscommon, they overcame the home side by 11-6 to 2-4.
In their four games Tipperary scored a hugely impressive 33 goals and 33 points, while conceding 9 goals 7 points. These glorious days and great victories will be honoured on Sunday with a reception for the panel before the semi-finals. They will be introduced
to the crowd between the games and will be guests at a dinner hosted by Templemore Arms Hotel after the games.
The winning team was: Peter O’Sullivan (Cashel King Cormacs), Willie Smith (Clonakenny), Noel O’Gorman (Newport), Michael O’Meara (Lorrha),RIP, (represented
by his widow, Evelyn,), Owen Killoran (Roscrea), RIP, (represented by his wife, Geraldine,), Conor Dwyer (Borrisokane), Len Gaynor (Kilruane MacDonaghs),
Mick Roche (Carrick Davins), Joe Fogarty (Golden-Kilfeacle), Noel Lane (Lorrha), RIP,(represented by his son, Ian,), Michael Keating (Ballybacon-Grange),
Francis Loughnane (capt.) Roscrea, (unavoidably absent today and represented by his son, Prionnsias) John Dillon (Roscrea), T. J. Butler (Clonoulty-Rossmore),
Tommy Brennan (Ballingarry). Subs: P. J. Ryan (Carrick Davins) for Michael O’Meara, Jimmy Ryan (Carrick Davins), Richard Buckley (Moycarkey-Borris)
Barney Hogan (Roscrea), Seamus Shinners (Newport), John Costigan (Clonakenny).
