1967 (Compliments of Tom Ryalls Publication)

Nineteen-sixty-seven was a milestone in the history of Kilkenny G.A.A. It was the year that saw the county lay the 45 year bogey of defeat by Tipperary in the championship. When one examines the facts, however, one sees that in those 45 years the sides clashed on only five occasions in the championship, Tipperary beating Kilkenny in the All-Irelands of.1937, 1945, 1950 and 1964, as well as the semi-final of 1958. The Munster men had also scored victories over the Noresiders in the National Hurling League finals of 1950, 1954 and 1957, as well as in the Oireachtas finals of 1964 and 1965. Kilkenny gained the first win of importance since 1922 over Tipperary in the 1966 National Hurling League home decider. This championship win in 1967 well and truly buried the "hoodoo" that existed.

Kilkenny started the 1967 championship with an easy 6-10 to 1-5 win over Dublin at Carlow. Two goals by Jim Lynch in the first half gave the winners a half time lead of 2-4 to 0-4. The Leinster final against Wexford produced another great game. Wexford, aided by the breeze had the better of the first half and led by 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time. At this stage a Kilkenny win looked likely, but ten minutes into the second half they looked to be heading for defeat when Wexford had increased their lead to eight points, 1-10 to 0-5, the goal coming from "Shanks" Whelan.

Then in a glorious ten minutes spell Kilkenny scored 3-1 to take the lead. A puck out by Ollie Walsh landed inside the Wexford twenty-one yards line and Jim Bennett collected to score a fine goal. Claus Dunne followed with a point to which Wexford replied with another point. Eddie Keher then blasted a twenty-one yards free to the net, and when Claus Dunne scored another great goal, Kilkenny led by 3-6 to 1-11. Paul Lynch levelled the scores. This was Wexford's last score and Kilkenny added a goal and four points in the closing ten minutes to·fmish on top by 4-10 to 1-12.

All-Ireland day brought unsettled weather, with a fierce gale and a mixture of rain and bright, sunny spells. Tipperary had first use of the blustery wind. At halftime they led 'by 2-6 to 1-3. This lead would have been much greater but for the fantastic display of goalkeeping by Ollie Walsh, who had his greatest game ever in the black and amber jersey. In that half he made at least half a dozen brilliant saves, any of which could have yielded a goal. As a result, he was later given the Texaco award as hurler of the year. His display was all the more meritorious as he entered the match with seven stitches in his wrist following an accident on the train on the way to the game.

Kilkenny got a tonic start with a goal after five minutes from Paddy Moran.

Although Tipperary had a highly rated forward line they were rendered completely ineffective by the Kilkenny defence, in which every man was a hero. Ted Carroll mastered Sean McLoughlin, who was replaced at half-time, Liam Devaney and John Flanagan in turn. Pa Dillon was soundness personified and his interception of Donie Nealon's intended pass to Liam Devaney was a vital piece of work. Jim Treacy stuck closely to Jimmy Doyle and gave him little room to create openings. Pat Henderson was the outstanding player in defence and outhurled three successive centre-half forwards - John Flanagan, Michael Keating and Liam Devaney. Seamus Cleere had his best game of that year, while Martin Coogan also played his customary sound match.

So well did the defence contain the opposing forwards that six of the losers' seven points came from frees. Tipperary had just one point in the second half and that was in the closing minutes.

Kilkenny had tied the scores by the 9th minute after a goal by Martin Brennan, a point by Eddie Keher, another from Tom Walsh and a third by Claus Dunne. A goal by Tom Walsh in the 42nd minute put Kilkenny on the road to victory. Just after that, the Leinster champions lost Eddie Keher with a wrist injury. It took Kilkenny, although they were well on top, another six minutes to get the "insurance" point when Claus Dunne landed a free. Dick Blanchfield, who had come on in place of Keher, scored Kilkenny's final point. Jimmy Doyle closed the scoring and left it at 3-8 to 2-7. This was Kilkenny's sixteenth title.

Having already noted the part played by Ollie Walsh and the defence, the rest of the team must not be forgotten. John Teehan and Paddy Moran, except for brief periods, held sway at midfield. Moran's goal was the tonic start Kilkenny needed when facing the breeze. Teehan earned undying fame for his superiority over Tipperary star, Mick Roche. The Kilkenny half-forward line of Eddie Keher, Tom Walsh and Claus Dunne was always mobile and extremely resourceful.Tom Walsh out-paced Tony Wall to a baffling degree. His goal in the second half was the turning point. The game was marred by an unfortunate accident to Walsh four minutes from time. As a result, he lost an eye, and what was shaping-up as an illustrious career was abruptly halted.

The full-forward line of Jim Bennett, Jim Lynch and Martin Brennan battled' hard, but with little success, except for Brennan's goal. Dick Blanchfield scored a good point after coming on, while John Kinsella and Pat Carroll were not long enough in the game to leave an imprint. Fr. Tommy Maher, who had trained the 1957 and 1963 winning teams, was again in charge. The physical well being of the players was looked after by Mick Lanigan, who was with the side for the first time. This Maher-Lanigan partnership was to prove a great combination for Kilkenny. They guided teams to further All-Ireland glory in 1969, 1972, 1974 and 1975 before bowing out in 1978. The captain of the team was Jim Treacy.

Scorers for for Kilkenny were Tom Walsh (1-2), Eddie Keher (0-3), Paddy Moran (1-0), Martin Brennan (1-0), Claus Dunne (0-2), Dick Blanchfield (0-1).

The attendance was 64,241.