Billy Rackard
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Liam Mac Riocaird | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Born |
14 April 1930 Killane, County Wexford, Ireland |
||
| Died | 23 March 2009 (aged 78) Oylegate, County Wexford, Ireland |
||
| Nickname | Billy | ||
| Occupation | Draper | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
| Rathnure | |||
| Club titles | |||
| Wexford titles | 5 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | ||
| 1949–1964 | Wexford | ||
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Leinster titles | 6 | ||
| All-Irelands | 3 | ||
| NHL | 2 | ||
Billy Rackard (14 April 1930 – 23 March 2009) was an Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-back for the Wexford senior teams.
Regarded as one of Wexford's greatest players of all-time, Rackard made his first appearance for the team during the 1949–50 National League and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement before the 1964 championship. During that time he won three All-Ireland medals, six Leinster medals and two National Hurling League medals. Rackard was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.
At club level Rackard was a five-time county club championship medalist with Rathnure.
Rackard's brothers, Nicky and Bobby, also enjoyed All-Ireland success with Wexford.
Rackard played his club hurling with Rathnure and enjoyed much success in a lengthy career.
In 1948 he was a key member of the defence as Rathnure reached only their second championship decider ever. A 3–5 to 0–2 trouncing of reigning champions St. Aidan's gave Rackard his first championship medal.
After failing to retain their title the following year, Rathnure were back in the county decider once again in 1950. Another convincing 5–10 to 2–6 defeat of old rivals St. Aidan's gave Rackard his second championship medal.
It was 1955 before Rathnure qualified for another championship decider and four-in-a-row hopefuls St. Aidan's provided the opposition once again. A close game developed, however, a 2–9 to 2–5 victory gave Rackard a third championship medal.
After a number of years out of the limelight Rathnure reached the county final once again in 1961. A fourth defeat of St.Aidan's gave Rackard, who scored two goals from his full-forward berth, a fourth and final championship medal.
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