A civic reception is the highest honour that the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Tony Dempsey and the members of Wexford Borough and Municipal District Council can bestow on an individual or group and the All-Ireland senior hurling champions of 1968 were honoured at Council Headquarters, Carricklawn, Wexford, on Friday evening.
Mayor Dempsey said civic receptions are rare enough and there has never been one for a golden jubilee All-Ireland winning team. He welcomed the members of the team.

“It is very important that we recognise what ye did fifty years ago,” said Mayor Dempsey.
Bishop Denis Brennan also paid tribute. “I would like to thank you for your contribution. When a team wins an All-Ireland the county gets an energy, it gets a pride, it gets a sense of hope in the future, it does lift everything and you did that in 1968. Others did it before you, others did it after you, and please God, others will do it again.”
President of the GAA, John Horan, spoke of childhood memories in Wexford. “It is great that so many of you are here tonight and anyone who knows anything about Wexford knows that those running the team were absolute legends and over the years made a massive contribution to hurling in Wexford.”
Chairman of Wexford GAA Board Derek Kent said it was “great to have the team of ’68 here with us” and he thanked a long list of people who worked hard to bring about the special occasion.
The team consisted of Dan Quigley (captain), Pat Nolan (goal), Tom Neville, Eddie Kelly, Ned Colfer, Vinny Staples, Willie Murphy, Phil Wilson, Dave Bernie, the late Paul Lynch (represented by his wife, Marie and family), Tony Doran, Christy Jacob, Jimmy O’Brien, Seamus Whelan, the late Jack Berry (represented by his wife, Sadie and family). John Quigley (for Whelan) and Teddy O’Connor (for Staples) who were used substitutes during the game, other subs,selectors, Manager, the late Paudge Kehoe (represented by his son, Brian Kehoe), and the team doctor, the late Dr Bob Bowe (represented by his son, Dr Stephen Bowe).
Angela Laffan, District Manager, and Margaret Doyle, Wexford GAA, acted as masters of ceremonies.
Ed Rowesome assembled some video highlights from the game which were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and brought back valuable memories of a great occasion for Wexford hurlers. 1968 was a magic year for Wexford who won the senior and minor final on the same day and a few weeks later returned to Croke Park for another famous victory in the All-Ireland senior camogie final.