Wexford hurling legend Tony Doran names his toughest ever opponent

When it comes to Wexford hurling, two names are often synonymous with it…

One is the legendary Nickey Rackard, while the other is Tony Doran.

Doran – who won everything in the game – was one of the most recent guests on The Wexford Hurling Podcast.

The proud Wexford man vividly recalled matches and events from five and six decades ago during his chat with hosts Ben Bernie and Garry Doran.

One of the interesting aspects of the podcast is when the hosts ask some quick-fire questions to the guest during the end of the podcast. One of those questions is always “who was the toughest opponent you’ve ever played against”:

“I always regarded the most difficult one you play against was the next one you’re going to meet. I’ve played against some great fellas. But, I’d say, the finest player I’ve ever played against was Mick Roche of Tipperary. He had good hurling; both left and right. He had a good hand, speed, positional sense. I felt that he had everything. In the first half in the 68 All-Ireland against Wexford, he dominated it. For me, I think he was the best I’ve ever come up against really,” Tony Doran said.

Along with a glowing inter-county career, Doran also won 12 Wexford titles, three Leinsters, and one All Ireland club title with Buffer’s Alley. He was inducted into the GAA Hall of Fame in 2016.

Doran, who is considered one of Wexford’s finest ever hurlers, was speaking on The Wexford Hurling Podcast. The full podcast with the Wexford legend can be listed to on Sound Cloud.