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The 32 Mt Rushmores | Episode 4: Wexford's greatest sportspeople

As Off The Ball's search for each Irish county's sporting heroes continues, it is the turn of W...



The 32 Mt Rushmores | Episode...
Racing

The 32 Mt Rushmores | Episode 4: Wexford's greatest sportspeople

As Off The Ball's search for each Irish county's sporting heroes continues, it is the turn of Wexford to decide upon the four figures whose heads will be carved into their Mt Rushmore. 

With Mayo, Cork, Offaly and Monaghan already decided upon, on Monday's OTB AM at 9:00am the responsibility of deciding Wexford's fate will fall upon none other than Liam Griffin and Diarmuid Lyng.

So, people of Wexford, which four of your sporting heroes are more deserving of this accolade than all others?

Wexford 1 September 1996; The Wexford team, lead by captain Martin Storey, during the pre-match parade. Wexford v Limerick, All Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Although the privilege of picking the county's four falls upon two legends in Liam and Diarmuid, it will be no easy task picking from yet another healthy list of worthy Yellow-bellies.

When it comes to the GAA, a combination of the county's hurlers made it on the association's teams of the Century and Millennium: Nick O'Donnell and Bobby Rackard made both; while Nicky Rackard had to settle with a place on the former alone.

In more recent times, would any of the heroes of 1996 make it onto the county's Mt Rushmore? Or what about the rich legacy of footballers? It might be over 100 years since Wexford won the Sam Maguire, but should that be a barrier to inclusion?

Kate Kelly was instrumental as the county's camogie team ended over a 30-year wait for All-Ireland success in 2007; three further wins in 2010, 2011 and 2012 making Wexford one of the teams of the 00s.

Akin to Nathan Murphy's selection of Ciaran McDonald in Mayo, maybe medals are overrated and the lads might vouch for the iconic Mattie Forde?

Wexford 22 June 2008; Matty Forde, Wexford, celebrates at the end of the game. GAA Football Leinster Senior Championship Semi-Final, Laois v Wexford, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

In rugby, the likes of Gordon D'Arcy and Tadhg Furlong will surely be in with a shout as they scaled the upper echelons of an international field.

Or maybe Kevin Doyle's rise from the League of Ireland to an international footballer is greater success still? What about the work of Billy Walsh, or the Paralympic medals won by Darragh McDonald, or maybe Lee Chin has already done enough spearheading Wexford hurling's revival in recent years?

It's all too much! People of Wexford, have your say now!

On Monday's OTB AM at 9:00am across all Off The Ball channels, you can watch as Liam Griffin and Diarmuid Lyng decide for themselves and the county. 

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Diarmuid Lyng GAA Gaelic Football Hurling Liam Griffin Wexford