Willy Cullen for many years was one of the Oulart-The Ballagh’s outstanding defenders. For 14 years, he was rock solid in his cornerback position.

He was glue-like in his marking and tenacious in his tackling. Very few forwards were allowed any freedom of movement to exercise their scoring ability. He went into every game without any glossy or fancy ideas but was always assured and diligent in the work at hand.

From his first game with the club in 1962 until his last one in 1976, he gave 100%. With his grim determination, he had the ability to win possession in the tightest struggles around his goal area. Willy was bulletproof against unforced errors, never putting a foot wrong or giving away any needless frees. His defiance, his courage and his never say die attitude, won the hearts of his many followers.

He was born in 1945 and was educated at the Ballagh N.S.. His Boyhood Hero was – Jim English R.I.P.. Two of the best goalie’s he has seen in Hurling were – Pat Nolan (Oylegate) and his own Club Star – Johnny Parle.

In Football, he selects – Paddy Cullen (Dublin) – as brilliant. The Oulart-The Ballagh Hurlers that impressed Willy the most at Club Level were – Mick Jacob, Christy Jacob, Robbie Jacob, Mylie Ryan R.I.P., Tony Byrne and Tom Byrne.

The Wexford Hurlers that stood out in the last 40 years were – Tony Doran, Colm Doran, Mick Jacob Snr., Martin Quigley, Dan Quigley,and Seanie Kinsella.

The greatest Hurlers he has seen were – Jimmy Doyle (Kilkenny) R.I.P., Eddie Keher (Kilkenny), D.J. Carey (Kilkenny), Brian Whelehan (Offaly) and Brian Lohan (Clare).

He first played Junior Hurling with – Oulart-The Ballagh – in 1962 and last played with them in 1976.

One of the best Club Teams he has seen in Hurling in Wexford were, the – Oulart-The Ballagh Teams – in the 2000s and in Football, he selects the – Castletown Team – from 1965 to the end of the ’70s.

The two best dual players he has seen outside of Wexford were – Jimmy Barry Murphy (Cork) and Michael “Babs” Keating (Clare). In Wexford, he selects – Joe Foley (Ballyhogue) and Jack Berry
(St. Anne’s) R.I.P. – as the best.

The four most difficult opponents he encountered when playing were – Tony Doran, Dan Quigley (Rathnure), Tim Flood R.I.P. and John Quigley. He regularly played for the Club at right cornerback, but also played at full-back and at right corner forward.

One of the most exciting games that he played in was vs Buffers Alley in the 1974 Co. Senior Semi-Final, where they defeated their old rivals, with a scoreline of 5.5 to 3.6.

One of the most disappointing games that he played in was losing the 1974 Co. Final to Rathnure.

With the Club, he won – 1 Co. Junior Hurling Medal in 1967, when they defeated Adamstown in the Final, with a scoreline of 1.15 to 0.4, and 1 Co. Intermediate Hurling Medal in 1968 with a win vs Rathnure in the decider. In U’21 Hurling, he won – 2 Co.Titles United with Buffers Alley, winning in 1965 and 1966.

His biggest regret was not winning – 1 Co. Senior Medal, losing in two Finals to Rathnure in 1974 and Buffers Alley in 1975.

One of Willy’s finest games was vs Cloughbawn in the 1966 Enniscorthy District Junior Hurling Final. He was brilliant at No. 2, playing on – Tim Flood R.I.P. – to just one point. Very few Hurlers have ever achieved this feat, against the Cloughbawn forward. He is also pleased to have held – Dan Quigley – to 1.0 in a Championship encounter.

Willy was also one of the Counties top boxers during his career, winning – 5 Leinster and 2 All Ireland Titles – as he did. His brother – Jack – was a well-known jockey also. Willy now resides just outside Blackwater.