Nicky Rackard

Nicky Rackard

Nicholas Rackard (28 April 1922 - 10 April 1976) 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. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game.

Rackard’s status as one of the all-time greats is self-evident. In a senior inter-county career that lasted for sixteen years he won two All-Ireland titles, four Leinster titles, one National Hurling League title and one Railway Cup title. His tally of 59 goals and 96 points from 36 championship games marks him out as one of the top ten scorers of all-time. Rackard is the all-time top-scorer in his native county of Wexford.

Rackard has also been the recipient of many awards and honours off the field. Although his career ended shortly before the prestigious Hurler of the Year award began, he was posthumously named in the full-forward position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century in 1984.