Even though Waterford hurlers won an All-Ireland senior final in 1948, the county’s golden era was that from 1957 to 1963.

During this period, Waterford were competing for full honours.  They played in three All-Ireland finals.  Of those they won one, they should have won three and they very very nearly lost all three.  As it turned out, the one in the middle (1959) was the one in which they were successful. Even though they were expected to win it, they somehow conspired to let it all unravel as it was Kilkenny who got a goal-blitz that day (Sept 6th, 1959) with the normally reliable backs having an off day.

Thankfully, my father – the goalkeeper Ned Power – wasn’t held to blame for the goals.  The analysis was that he didn’t get enough protection from the backs.  Only a goal in the last minute from Seamus Power saved the day.  The Deise men played a lot of “backs and forwards” for the replay in an early October day of unseasonal sunshine and no mistake was made then.

All three finals were against Kilkenny and it was they who won against the odds on the other two occasions in that period when Waterford were in an AI final.  In 1963, they had a great year, winning the Oireachtas and the League, but it was something of a swansong for that team and the Deise’s fortunes dipped fairly quickly after that, not recovering to those same heights until recent years.  In fact, when they won the League two seasons ago, it was their very first since 1963.

Incredible, but true.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.