Wexford GAA Launch Commemorative Jersey

All Ireland final day, 1893. A mixture of nerves and excitement filled the air. The Selskar Young Ireland’s team of Wexford, led by captain Tom Hayes set off from their beloved town in search of victory. Could they do it? Could they be the first Wexford team to win the All-Ireland?

After making their way to Dublin with a rally of supporters ready to cheer them on, the team stepped onto the pitch at Phoenix Park and prepared for battle against Cork opponents, Dromtariffe. The adrenaline kicked in. An All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title was up for grabs, and they were not going to let it out of their sight. Selskar Young Ireland’s were awarded the victory and crowned All-Ireland champions. It was Wexford’s first All-Ireland success. A feeling of pride swept over the county, which remains to this day.

In honour of the historic event, Wexford GAA have swapped their iconic purple 130 years on and designed a commemorative jersey in the shade of green which was worn by the Selskar Young Ireland’s team on the day. The jersey features the team crest on the back and the words “le croí agus lámh' from the Wexford GAA crest.

An original jersey which was worn in the 1983 All-Ireland Football final was tracked down and used as inspiration for the design of the Wexford Commemoration Jersey. The green knitted jersey featured a hand-embroidered gold Young Ireland’s crest on the front, ribbed collar and long sleeves. Passed down through the generations, this unique heirloom remains in the safe hands of a family member.

The Wexford Commemoration Jersey was created to remember this historic team who set the scene for the Wexford football team and created an era of dominance twenty years later. The jersey will be worn by the Men’s Wexford GAA Football and Hurling teams on a one-off occasion in early 2023.

Chairman of the Wexford GAA, Michael Martin said:

"Wexford GAA is proud to remember our history and our heritage, while looking forward to creating our own historic moment in January 2023 when we turn on the floodlights in Chadwicks Wexford Park which is only a puck of a ball from where these young men lived."