Tim Flood (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Tim Flood is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Cloughbawn and with the Wexford
senior inter-county team in the 1950s and 1960s.
with his local Cloughbawn club and enjoyed many victories. He first tasted success in 1946 when the club captured the county junior hurling title. Three years later in 1949 Flood played a key role as Cloughbawn captured their first senior county title. He added a second county medal to his collection in 1951.
senior hurling team in the early 1950s. In 1951 a new Wexford team emerged, a team that would become one of the greatets of the decade. That year Flood won his first Leinster
medal following a victory over Laois
in the provincial decider. He later lined out in his first All-Ireland final with Tipperary
providing the opposition. The Tipp forwards ran riot scoring 7-7 to Wexford’s total of 3-9. Tipp’s Tony Reddin
gave an absolute exhibition of goalkeeping skills as he fought off the challenge of Wexford's star player Nicky Rackard
. Three years later in 1954 Flood captured a second Leinster title before later lining out in his second championship decider. Cork provided the opposition on this occasion as a record crowd of almost 85,000 people turned up at Croke Park
. The game ended with a victory for 'the Rebels' and a record eighth All-Ireland medal for the legendary Christy Ring
.
In 1955 Wexford completed a provincial double with Flood collecting his third Leinster medal following a victory over Kilkenny
in a replay. He subsequently lined out in his third All-Ireland final, however, he had yet to end up on the winning side. Galway
, who had been given a bye to the final without ever playing a game, provided the opposition. At half-time the men from the West led by 2-5 to 2-3 courtesy of two goals from 18-year-old schoolboy Paddy Egan. Wexford turned things around in the second-half and sealed the deal with a 3-13 to 2-8 win. Flood had finally captured his first All-Ireland
medal. In 1956 Wexford continued their dominance with Flood collecting a first National Hurling League
medal. He later won his fourth Leinster title as Wexford defeated their great rivals Kilkenny for a second year in-a-row. This victory lead to a subsequent All-Ireland final meeting with Cork, the team that defeated Wexford just two years previously. Once again a huge crowd of over 83,000 people packed into Croke Park
to witness history in the making. Cork’s legenfary Christy Ring was hoping to capture a record-breaking ninth All-Ireland medal while Wexford were hoping to complete a famous two-in-a-row. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliothar up the field to set up another attack. Wexford went on to win the game on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8 giving Flood his second All-Ireland medal.
Wexford surrendered their provincial crown the following year, however, the team returned in 1958 with Flood collecting a second National League title. Two years after in 1960 he won his fifth Leinster title as Wexford got the better of Kilkenny once again in the provincial decider. Flood later lined out in a fifth championship decider with Tipperary. It was only the third ever meeting between these two sides in the championship. Tipp were the red-hot favourites and a certain over-confidence seemed to creep in. The game ended in remarkable circumstances as the crowd invaded the pitch with a minute to go, mistaking the referee’s whistle for the end of the game. When the crowd were finally moved off the pitch Tipperary continued playing with only twelve men, however, Wexford won the game on a score line of 2-15 to 0-11 giving Flood a third All-Ireland winners' medal. Wexford surrendered their provincial crown to Dublin
in 1961, however, the team bounced back in 1962 with Flood collecting his sixth provincial title. The team later squared up to Tipperary in the All-Ireland final, however, Wexford were not the force of old and the side got off to possibly the worst start ever by a team in a championship decider. After just ninety seconds the Leinster champions were down by 2 goals, however, the game turned out to be much closer than people expected. Tipp eventually secured the win on a score line of 3-10 to 2-11. This defeat brought the curtain down on Flood's inter-county career.
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. Munster
were the kingpins of the series of games throughout the 1950s and 1960s, however, Flood captured Railway Cup medals in 1954 and 1956.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Cloughbawn and with the Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior inter-county team in the 1950s and 1960s.
Club
Flood played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local Cloughbawn club and enjoyed many victories. He first tasted success in 1946 when the club captured the county junior hurling title. Three years later in 1949 Flood played a key role as Cloughbawn captured their first senior county title. He added a second county medal to his collection in 1951.
Inter-county
Flood first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the WexfordWexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior hurling team in the early 1950s. In 1951 a new Wexford team emerged, a team that would become one of the greatets of the decade. That year Flood won his first Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
medal following a victory over Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the provincial decider. He later lined out in his first All-Ireland final with Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
providing the opposition. The Tipp forwards ran riot scoring 7-7 to Wexford’s total of 3-9. Tipp’s Tony Reddin
Tony Reddin
Martin Charles Reddington , better known as Tony Reddin, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Castlegar in Galway and Lorrha-Dorrha in Tipperary from the 1930s until the 1950s...
gave an absolute exhibition of goalkeeping skills as he fought off the challenge of Wexford's star player Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
. Three years later in 1954 Flood captured a second Leinster title before later lining out in his second championship decider. Cork provided the opposition on this occasion as a record crowd of almost 85,000 people turned up at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. The game ended with a victory for 'the Rebels' and a record eighth All-Ireland medal for the legendary Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
.
In 1955 Wexford completed a provincial double with Flood collecting his third Leinster medal following a victory over Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in a replay. He subsequently lined out in his third All-Ireland final, however, he had yet to end up on the winning side. Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
, who had been given a bye to the final without ever playing a game, provided the opposition. At half-time the men from the West led by 2-5 to 2-3 courtesy of two goals from 18-year-old schoolboy Paddy Egan. Wexford turned things around in the second-half and sealed the deal with a 3-13 to 2-8 win. Flood had finally captured his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal. In 1956 Wexford continued their dominance with Flood collecting a first National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
medal. He later won his fourth Leinster title as Wexford defeated their great rivals Kilkenny for a second year in-a-row. This victory lead to a subsequent All-Ireland final meeting with Cork, the team that defeated Wexford just two years previously. Once again a huge crowd of over 83,000 people packed into Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
to witness history in the making. Cork’s legenfary Christy Ring was hoping to capture a record-breaking ninth All-Ireland medal while Wexford were hoping to complete a famous two-in-a-row. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
Art Foley
Michael Arthur Foley , better known as Art Foley, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Aidan's of Enniscorthy and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1956.-Club:...
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliothar up the field to set up another attack. Wexford went on to win the game on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8 giving Flood his second All-Ireland medal.
Wexford surrendered their provincial crown the following year, however, the team returned in 1958 with Flood collecting a second National League title. Two years after in 1960 he won his fifth Leinster title as Wexford got the better of Kilkenny once again in the provincial decider. Flood later lined out in a fifth championship decider with Tipperary. It was only the third ever meeting between these two sides in the championship. Tipp were the red-hot favourites and a certain over-confidence seemed to creep in. The game ended in remarkable circumstances as the crowd invaded the pitch with a minute to go, mistaking the referee’s whistle for the end of the game. When the crowd were finally moved off the pitch Tipperary continued playing with only twelve men, however, Wexford won the game on a score line of 2-15 to 0-11 giving Flood a third All-Ireland winners' medal. Wexford surrendered their provincial crown to Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in 1961, however, the team bounced back in 1962 with Flood collecting his sixth provincial title. The team later squared up to Tipperary in the All-Ireland final, however, Wexford were not the force of old and the side got off to possibly the worst start ever by a team in a championship decider. After just ninety seconds the Leinster champions were down by 2 goals, however, the game turned out to be much closer than people expected. Tipp eventually secured the win on a score line of 3-10 to 2-11. This defeat brought the curtain down on Flood's inter-county career.
Province
Flood also lined out with LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
were the kingpins of the series of games throughout the 1950s and 1960s, however, Flood captured Railway Cup medals in 1954 and 1956.