Family links aplenty to Déise footballers’ last Croker jaunt

TOMORROW’S NFL Division Four decider wouldn’t be Waterford’s first senior football appearance at Croke Park. In the 1971/72 league campaign, Waterford played Dublin at GAA headquarters in a Division One game, losing 3-6 to 0-6.

Full back on the 70s selection was The Nire’s Jim Wall, one of a select group of Waterford players to hold a Railway Cup football medal. His son Brian is set to line out at wing forward against Limerick tomorrow. Another link is provided by the great Hennessy footballing family from Ardmore. Johnny, another player to have gained Railway Cup recognition with Munster, played at midfield in the game against the Dubs while his nephews Wayne and Niall Hennessy will play tomorrow.