Rathnure GAA
Encyclopedia
Rathnure St. Anne’s is a Gaelic Athletic Association
club based in Rathnure
, County Wexford
, Ireland
. Rathnure's most famous players are the Rackards and Quigley brothers.
After just seven years in existence Rathnure finally succeeded in making that magical breakthrough to a County Final. This was in the junior grade and with many young hurlers in the team it augured well for the future of the club. In this final Rathnure were opposed by St. Fintan's, the south Wexford club with a tremendous hurling reputation, a club that had many fine achievements to its credit up to then. This match was described as the hurling spectacle of the year and signalled the arrival of Rathnure as a hurling force in the model county. The final score was St. Fintan's 4-5 Rathnure 5-0.
, a man who was to lead both club and county to historic victories in the ensuing years. In the final Rathnure defeated Horeswood by 6-1 to 1-2. The winners were never seriously challenged and proved the superior team in every aspect of the game, with Nicky Rackard
coming off with two splendid goals to his credit.
, Quigleys, Barrons, O' Connors, Codds, Redmonds, Morrisseys, John Conran, Jimmy Holohan and Fr. McDonald to mention just a few.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club based in Rathnure
Rathnure
Rathnure is a small village on the R731 regional road about from the town of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland. The village is located at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountain, which borders County Carlow on the opposite side.-Attractions:...
, County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Rathnure's most famous players are the Rackards and Quigley brothers.
First AGM
At a meeting in Rathnure in the year 1931, Rathnure St. Anne's GAA Club was founded. Founder members on that night were Pat Byrne, James O'Leary, Pat Doyle, Thomas Murphy, Nick Mernagh, Denis Brennan and Master O'Rielly. Also on the night, the meeting was attended by two 14 year old boys Mikey Redmond and Ned Caulfield. The first Chairman of the club was Mr. Hugh O'Rielly, the first Secretary was Pat Byrne and the first Treasurer was Pat Doyle.Early Years
In its first year in existence, Rathnure fielded in junior hurling. However success in terms of championship medals was slow, but more important players were given the opportunity to play their native game, a game that was eventually to flourish in the parish of Rathnure. From the outset great interest was aroused in the club, and it gradually grew in strength both from a players and a supporters point of view.After just seven years in existence Rathnure finally succeeded in making that magical breakthrough to a County Final. This was in the junior grade and with many young hurlers in the team it augured well for the future of the club. In this final Rathnure were opposed by St. Fintan's, the south Wexford club with a tremendous hurling reputation, a club that had many fine achievements to its credit up to then. This match was described as the hurling spectacle of the year and signalled the arrival of Rathnure as a hurling force in the model county. The final score was St. Fintan's 4-5 Rathnure 5-0.
First Success
The following year, Rathnure were represented again in the county junior hurling final. This time however, it was a winning one and proved a historic breakthrough for the club. A member of that history making team was Nicky RackardNicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
, a man who was to lead both club and county to historic victories in the ensuing years. In the final Rathnure defeated Horeswood by 6-1 to 1-2. The winners were never seriously challenged and proved the superior team in every aspect of the game, with Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
coming off with two splendid goals to his credit.
Senior Success
1941 was Rathnure's first year in senior hurling ranks and it is notable that the club has fielded in the Wexford Senior Hurling Championship every other year to date, a feat not equalled by any other club in the county and very few in Ireland. In 1948 Rathnure St. Anne's won our first of 20 Wexford Senior Hurling Championships. There were celebrations lasting for a full week after that County Final. Further victories came in 1950, '55, '61, '67, '71, '72, '73, '74, '77, '79, '80, '86, '87, '90, '96, '98, '02, '03 and 2006. Following 6 of the above county successes, Leinster Club titles were also won.Other Successes
Other titles won over the years include Senior football, Intermediate hurling, Junior A & B football, Junior A hurling (3), Junior B hurling (3), U21 hurling (9), including 6 in a row, Minor hurling (14), Juvenile hurling (14), Under 14 hurling (7), Under 12 hurling (3), All Ireland Feile na nGael, Minor football and U14 football.Rathnure Legends
Rathnure not only boasts of great achievements, but also of some hurling legends - Nicky, Billy & Bobby RackardBobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1945 until 1957. Rackard is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:...
, Quigleys, Barrons, O' Connors, Codds, Redmonds, Morrisseys, John Conran, Jimmy Holohan and Fr. McDonald to mention just a few.
Nicky Rackard Park
Nicky Rackard Park currently provide two full sized playing pitches and an underage pitch at Nicky Rackard Park catering for all ages of girls and boys. Our sports complex consists of 4 full sized dressing rooms, squash court, fully equipped gymnasium, sauna and a well stocked GAA shop. The clubhouse also contains a very historic trophy and meeting room dedicated to the great Syl Barron.Hurling
- All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
s:- Winner (0):
- Runner-up (5): 1972, 1974, 1978, 1987, 1999
- Leinster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
s:- Winner (6): 1971, 1973, 1977, 1986, 1987, 1998
- Runner-up (2): 1970, 1972
- Wexford Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipWexford Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe Wexford Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top hurling clubs affiliated to the Wexford county board. The winners of the Wexford Championship winners qualify to represent their county in the Leinster Senior Club Hurling...
s:- Winner (20): 1948, 1950, 1955, 1961, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006
- Runner-up (8): 1942, 1949, 1957, 1965, 1978, 1988, 1999, 2004
Gaelic football
- Wexford Senior Club Football ChampionshipWexford Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe Wexford Senior Football Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top gaelic football clubs in Wexford...
s:- Winner (1): 1972
- Runner-up (2): 1953, 1974
Notable players
- Martin CoddMartin CoddMartin Codd was an Irish sportsperson turned singer and most recently author. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1949 until 1965. Trading the ash for the microphone he toured both Ireland and England in the late sixties and early...
- Paul CoddPaul CoddPaul Codd is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Rathnure and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1995 until 2006.-References:-Teams:...
- Jim EnglishJim EnglishJim English was an Irish hurler who played as a right wing-back for the Wexford senior team from 1952 until 1964....
- Dermot Flynn
- Rod GuineyRod GuineyRod Guiney is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club rosslare and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team in the 1990s and 2000s. He has a twin brother named Dave who also played hurling with Wexford.-References:...
- Nigel HigginsNigel HigginsNigel Higgins is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Rathnure and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 2005 until 2007.- References :...
- Séamus MurphySéamus MurphySéamus Murphy is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player.-Career:He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team in the 1970s and early 1980s....
- Brendan O Leary
- Dan QuigleyDan QuigleyDan Quigley is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team in the 1960s and 1970s. Quigley captained Wexford to the All-Ireland title in 1968.-Club:Quigley played his club hurling with the famous Rathnure...
- John QuigleyJohn Quigley (hurler)John Quigley is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team in the 1960s and 1970s.-Club:...
- Martin QuigleyMartin QuigleyMartin Quigley is a retired Irish sportsman. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s...
- Billy RackardBilly RackardBilly Rackard was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1950 until 1964.-Early life:...
- Bobby RackardBobby RackardBobby Rackard was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1945 until 1957. Rackard is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:...
- Nicky RackardNicky RackardNicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
- Mikey Redmond