Whelan goal enough for double

ONE FROM THE ARCHIVES/DES FOLEY WINS TWO RAILWAY CUP MEDALSBack in 1962, when the interprovincial crown was truly coveted, Leinster had a clean sweep

Leinster 1-11 Ulster 0-11:ENTHUSED BY their hurlers' pulsating win over Munster, Leinster's footballers faced an Ulster team sparkling with All-Ireland championship names at Croke Park on Saturday for the coveted Railway Cup. But, though backed by sun and breeze in the first half of the game they could only break even with the Northmen.

The game was thought out and won by the strategy the cunning Leinster selectors cooked up in the interval.

Des Foley, the midfield hurler who had mastered both Theo English and Liam Devanney in the earlier match, was the man they had pinned their hopes on to dominate the football midfield. It was very evident that Des was tired.

It was also evident that John Timmons, the roving full-forward who had practically beaten the Munster footballers on his own in the cup's semi-final, was being too rigidly policed and subdued by Ulster's full back, Leo Murphy.

And it also came to the mentors' notice that Eugene Larkin of Armagh was ruling the roost at midfield.

On the half-time, at five points each, the dramatic deployment took place. The triple switch sent Foley in as full-forward, where he could alternately rest and foray.

Big John Timmons was told to move out of Murphy's way and worry Dan McCartan on the forty. And Mick Whelan was sent further back, to midfield, to deal with the irrepressible Larkin.

The result - three rapid points before the Ulstermen could get their bearings after John Dowling blew the resumption whistle.

With almost dazzling rapidity the Ulster selectors took a hand. They took off Jarlath Carey, the unfit man who had replaced Joe Lennon at midfield and whom Mick Carley had held. They sent in Tony Haddon, fresh as a daisy, who proceeded to unbalance the centre sector again. And they took off Seán O'Connell, who had been injured in the forward line, and replaced him by Mick Donaghy, and they awaited results.

They came - exactly three points from Doherty and Donaghy to level; a Doherty free to lead. Leinster were losing.

Then one man bounded from the midfield with the ball on his toes. It was Mickey Whelan, who soloed serenely all the way to the Ulster 21 line and slammed upwards and under the bar to shake the net.

Inspired, John Timmons began to forage, and, being successively fouled, slammed over a couple of points. Doherty, at the other end replied, but did not get enough of the ball and Leinster were through.

LEINSTER:Andy Phillips (Wicklow); Paddy McCormack (Offaly), Greg Hughes (capt, Offaly), Mick Carolan (Kildare); Brendan Barden (Longford), Paddy Holden (Dublin), Charlie Wrenn (Offaly); Des Foley (Dublin), Mick Carley (Westmeath, 0-1); Seán Brereton (Offaly, 0-1), Mickey Whelan (Dublin, 1-1), Tommy Greene (Offaly); Pádraig Gearty (Longford, 0-1), John Timmons (Dublin, 0-6), Kevin Heffernan Dublin (0-1). Subs: Frank Lynch (Louth) for Greene.

ULSTER:T McArdle (Monaghan); G Kelly (Cavan), Leo Murphy (Down), P Rice (Down); B Mone (Monaghan), Dan McCartan (Down), J McDonnell (Cavan); J Carey (Down, 0-1), Eugene Larkin (Armagh, 0-1); S O'Neill (Down), Jarlath McCartan (Down), P Doherty (Down, 0-5); Seán O'Connell (Derry), J Whan (Armagh, 0-1), B Morgan (Down, 0-2). Subs: Tony Haddon (Down) for Carey, Mick Donaghy (Tyrone 0-1) for O'Connell.