Model hurlers putt out by golf trophy ‘insult’

JUST because it’s called the Model County doesn’t mean that all sporting models — and especially golfing ones — can be used on Wexford hurling trophies.

You can make all the stick and ball comparisons you like, but when golfing models were used as the inspiration for figures on hurling prizes, the reaction was understandably one of delayed outrage.

To the sporting eye the “gorling” trophies are just that, figures in golfing poses while holding camáns.

Look closer, if you think you can stand any more hilarity, and you’ll see the morphed figures are bedecked in shoes, ankle socks, tops and shorts which no purveyor of the poc fada would ever have in his kit bag.

The Frankenhurlers entered the public arena last year on the 40th anniversary of Wexford’s sensational Croke Park September in 1968 when the county won both the senior and minor all-Ireland hurling titles for the first and only time.

The awards were presented in Croke Park at the end of last year, but were kept under wraps as anger brewed among the players of ’68 and local hurling cognoscenti.

And now the Wexford heroes of ’68 have decided to hit back at what they feel was an insult from Wexford County Board.

Corner-back of that All-Ireland winning team, Ned Colfer — that’s with a ‘c’ — has lashed the powers-that-be for the insult inflicted on players who had brought such honour to the county.

“When I received the trophy I looked at it and put it back in the box. Some days later I took it out of the box and had a good look — it is a golf trophy, with a golfer, in a golfing pose, with a hurley in his hand.

“Everything about it suggests a golf trophy... When did you ever see anyone hurling in ankle socks and shoes.

“His grip is all wrong, right hand below left, inches apart — a putting pose by a golfer. We, the players, see this as an insult.”