WHILE the Galway footballers are heading to New York on October 19 to play the exiles in the FBD Challenge Cup final, the afternoon will also look back at one of the brilliant hurling teams to line out for New York. In some people's opinions they were possibly the best ever.

In the 1950s a special tournament was in place where New York took on the National League winners in football and hurling in the September and October months with the home venue alternating each year.

After a close battle against Tipperary in 1957 when the host team lost 4-4 to 2-14 at the famed Polo Grounds in New York, the stage was set for a tilt with Wexford in 1958. The team will be remembered at halftime of the FBD contest.

The game was played at Croke Park on September 14 with legendary announcer Michael O'Hehir's words being transmitted across to New York via radio. The Irish Echo published both lists of players the week previous to the game to allow the listeners the opportunity to follow along without missing a beat.

Some of the players were household namesalready, with Wexford annexing the All Ireland titles in 1955 and '56. They also took the National League titles in '56 and '58 with the Oireachtas Tournament of '53, '55, and '56 going their way as well.

Five Leinster titles in a 10 year span created a juggernaut. Nicky Rackard was manager, Brother Willie, Padge Kehoe, Dick Murphy, Jim Morrissey, and Jim English all had pivotal positions.

New York was undaunted, however, with the opposition that beckoned. At the time New York hurling was deemed a harder variety than Ireland's, with a crisp bite to their game.

They put on a truly heroic performance against their esteemed opponents and defeated them 3-8 to 3-7 in a thrilling game at Croker. They built a substantial lead in the first half with a seven point advantage at the short whistle, 2-6 to 0-5.

Norman Allen and Michael Hennessy had their first two scores from frees, Eamonn Prendergast had their third from play. After the sides swapped scores Prendergast had the first goal of the game when he was first to a rebound after a Pat Egan shot.

Johnny Heron had their second major before the break and added the third three minutes after it. Bold scoring from a player who had come on as a sub when Mick Furlong had to leave the field with a hand injury.

Furlong was the older brother of Martin and Tommy who both played for Offaly with Martin winning three All Irelands. Wexford did their best to claw back into the contest and goals by Padge Kehoe (two) and Dick Murphy a pile driver, brought the deficit to the minimum but it would have been unjust after trailing by ten points at one stage for the Wexford men to have pulled a result from the fire.

While there were stars across the board for New York on their historic day, the Irish Independent rated Mike Hennessy and his brother Brendan from Ballyduff in Kerry as players of the week for their following issue. Both were outstanding on the day and led the team from the front for the outstanding win.

New York's football team followed the hurlers to Ireland for a game against Dublin on October 5. They went down by two points, 2-6 to 1-7, in a nail biter.

The New York lineout (with their New York clubs)for the hurling contest was as follows: 1 P. Fleming (Tipp.), 2 P. Dowling (Cork), 3. J Carey (Tipp.), 4 P.J. Birmingham (Offaly), 5 D. De Loughery (Kilkenny capt.), 6 M. Murphy (Galway), 7 K. Long (Limerick), 8 Brendan Hennessy (Kilkenny), 9 Michael Hennessy (Kilkenny), 10 E. Prendergast (Limerick), 11 W. Duffy (Galway), 12 N. Allen (Cork), 13 M. Furlong (Offaly), 14 S. O'Meara (Tipp.), 15 P. Egan (Galway). Subs: J. Heron (Kilkenny), B. Dolan (Offaly), J. O'Connell (Offaly), C. Doolan (Cork), M. Minogue (Tipp.), J. Carney (Clare).