Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty | Conan Keaney
Darran O'Sullivan | Eoin Bradley | James Masters | John McEntee
Mark Vaughan | Paul Kerrigan
In May, Wexford beat Louth to secure their first Senior Football Championship victory in five years. Then, a few weeks later, they dumped Kildare out of the Leinster Championship, and it was clear that Wexford football had turned a corner.
In a team of talented individuals, one man stood out above the rest. Wexford silenced their critics once more by beating Offaly in the Qualifier Series in July. Mattie Forde scored 2-10 of Wexford’s 2-14 tally that day, establishing himself as one of the most talented forwards in the country.
The fairytale ended a week later when Wexford were knocked out by Derry, but for Mattie, 2004 is a year he will not forget in a hurry. He was top scorer in the National Football League, scoring an unbelievable 8 goals and 36 points (60), and his performance against Galway when he scored 4 goals and 5 points was football from another planet. 2004 was the year that people stood up and took notice of Wexford football and one man in particular, Mattie Forde!
What have been your greatest moments in sport?
Getting promotion to Division 1 of the National Football League last year was a big moment for us, and then going on to beat Galway in the league was great. It was a big year for Wexford football. It was our first year in Division 1 and we managed to maintain that status. We also got our first Championship win in five years and went on to win two more matches after that.
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
There are no easy games any more but Dublin would be one of the toughest. We have played Derry three times in the last two years, they are very tough and physical and we were beaten all three times.
Who was your toughest ever marker?
Sean “Marty” Lockhart of Derry was definitely the toughest.
What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
Listen to what you’re being told by your mentors. Practise kicking with both feet and, of course, practise a lot in general.
How do you balance your job and football?
It’s tough when you’re training up to four nights a week and then playing matches at the weekend. You always have to go to work the next day which can be very demanding.
Which players do you admire the most?
Peter Canavan and Maurice Fitzgerald.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
I’m a big rugby fan, Jonah Lomu was always a hero of mine.
What are your hopes for the future?
I think a Leinster final or a place in the quarter-final of the Championship is definitely within our grasp. Football has opened up a lot and there are a lot of teams in with a shout. Fermanagh showed that it’s possible this year.
Do you play any other sports?
I played some rugby with Gorey but don’t have time any more. I play hurling for the club and a bit of golf. © December 2004 |
