County Wexford’s sporting legacy, rooted in hurling and enriched by football, soccer, rugby, and other pursuits, reflects a community united by passion for competition. From historic victories to thriving clubs and athletes, Wexford’s story is one of resilience and achievement.
Gaelic Games: Hurling stronghold
Gaelic Football, hurling, and camogie, governed by Wexford GAA, form the heart of the county’s sporting identity. The senior hurling team won six All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships (1910, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1968, 1996), with the 1996 victory over Limerick ending a 28-year drought.
Wexford claimed 21 Leinster Senior Hurling Championships, most recently in 2019, and National Hurling League titles in 1956, 1958, 1973, and 1994. The football team secured five All-Ireland Senior Football Championships (1893, 1915–1918) and 10 Leinster titles, with the last in 1945. The camogie team won All-Ireland Senior titles in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012, and the ladies’ football team took the intermediate title in 2022.
In club hurling, St Anne’s Rathangan leads with 13 Wexford Senior Hurling Championship titles, last won in 2000. Oulart-The Ballagh has 13 titles, including 2015, and reached the Leinster club final in 2013. Rathnure holds 20 titles, with their latest in 2006. In football, Castletown Liam Mellows won nine county titles, most recently in 2020, while Sarsfields (Enniscorthy) claimed eight titles, last in 2017. Faythe Harriers and St Martin’s have excelled in camogie, with multiple county titles.
Hurling heroes:
- Nicky Rackard (Faythe Harriers): Generally regarded as Wexford’s greatest hurler and one of the best full-forwards in history. He was the spearhead of the 1950s team, scoring 7–7 in a single 1954 All-Ireland semi-final and winning All-Irelands in 1955 and 1956.
- Tony Doran (Buffers Alley): A legendary full-forward who won an All-Ireland medal in 1968, he was a key figure in the 1970s rivalry with Kilkenny and arguably the closest to matching Nickey Rackard’s scoring legacy.
- Martin Storey (Oulart-The Ballagh): Captain of the famous 1996 All-Ireland winning team, he was a prolific scorer and long-serving attacker for the county.
- Damien Fitzhenry (Duffry Rovers): Widely regarded as one of Wexford’s greatest-ever goalkeepers, he was famous for his shot-stopping, including a clean sheet in the 1996 All-Ireland final.
- Liam Dunne (Oulart-The Ballagh): A passionate and teak-tough centre-back, he was a pillar of the 1996 All-Ireland winning side and later managed the Wexford senior team.
- George O’Connor (Saint Martin’s): An outstanding midfielder known for his elegance and skill, he represented Wexford from 1979 to 1996, finally winning an All-Ireland medal in his final year.
- Nick O’Donnell (Saint Aidan’s/Rathnure): A brilliant full-back and a towering figure in the “Golden Era” of the 1950s, he captained Wexford to All-Ireland success in 1955 and 1960.
- Bobby Rackard (Faythe Harriers): Brother of Nickey and Billy, Bobby was a key corner-back in the 1955 and 1956 All-Ireland winning sides, and was selected on the Hurling Team of the Century.
- Dan Quigley (Rathnure): Captain of the 1968 All-Ireland winning team, he was a renowned centre-back known for his strong leadership and massive clearances.
- Larry O’Gorman (Ferns Saint Aidan’s/Buffers Alley): A versatile and skillful player, often playing in defence or midfield, he was a key performer in the 1996 All-Ireland victory and a popular figure in Wexford hurling.
Soccer, Rugby, and Beyond
Soccer thrives through clubs like Wexford FC, based at Ferrycarrig Park, which won the League of Ireland First Division in 2015. North End United, a junior club, secured the FAI Junior Cup in 2012. Kevin Doyle (born in Adamstown), who earned 62 caps, scored 14 goals, and starred for Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The most prominent rugby internationals born in County Wexford are Lions and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong, legendary Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy, and Irish women’s star Aoife Wafer.. Rugby is strong with Wexford Wanderers RFC, Enniscorthy RFC, and Gorey RFC competing in the Leinster League. Enniscorthy’s facilities at Alcast Park support youth and women’s teams. Athletics flourishes at Enniscorthy Sports Hub, with athletes like Ciara Wilson competing nationally. Hook Head’s sailing and New Ross Boat Club’s rowing add to the county’s diverse sporting scene.
Key Facilities
Wexford Park, renamed Chadwicks Wexford Park, is the county’s primary GAA venue, hosting hurling and football finals with a capacity of 18,000. Innovate Wexford Park, a modernised facility, supports county matches. Ferrycarrig Park serves soccer, while Enniscorthy Sports Hub offers athletics tracks and indoor courts. Gorey’s Holmestown Community Centre supports GAA and rugby, and New Ross Sports Complex hosts swimming and fitness activities. Curracloe’s beaches support water sports and triathlons.
Prominent Personalities.
In hurling, Tony Doran starred in the 1960s All-Irelands, earning three All-Star awards, while Lee Chin captained the 2019 Leinster champions. Martin Storey led the 1996 All-Ireland win. In football, Mattie Forde earned an All-Star in 2004. Katrina Parrock was a key figure in camogie’s four All-Ireland titles. In soccer, Kevin Doyle, a former Ireland international, played for Wexford FC’s predecessors. Rugby’s Nick Popplewell, an Ireland and Lions prop, hails from Gorey. Eugene Davy, a former rugby international, coached Enniscorthy RFC. Ciara Grant, a women’s soccer international, represents Rosslare.
Honours and Years of Success
Wexford’s hurling team won All-Irelands in 1910, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1968, and 1996, with 21 Leinster titles (latest 2019) and four National League titles (1956, 1958, 1973, 1994). The football team secured All-Irelands in 1893, 1915–1918, and 10 Leinster titles (last 1945). Camogie won senior All-Irelands in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012, with ladies’ football taking the 2022 intermediate title. Club honours include Rathnure’s 20 hurling titles (latest 2006), St Anne’s and Oulart-The Ballagh’s 13 titles each (latest 2000 and 2015), and Castletown’s nine football titles (latest 2020). Sarsfields won eight football titles (latest 2017). Wexford FC’s 2015 First Division title and North End United’s 2012 FAI Junior Cup add to the tally. St Martin’s and Faythe Harriers have multiple camogie titles.
Wexford’s sporting community continues to flourish, with clubs and facilities nurturing new talent. From the roar of Wexford Park to the community spirit of Ferrycarrig, the county’s love for sport promises more victories ahead.
Sports in the county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Wexford:
Ireland’s county Wexford combines coastal beauty with historic sites, with the Hook Lighthouse, one of the world’s oldest, offering scenic coastal views. The Irish National Heritage Park recreates ancient and medieval settlements, while Wexford’s beaches, like Curracloe, provide sandy shores for walking. Other attractions include the historic town of Enniscorthy and its castle. Wexford is Ireland’s 13th largest county by size (2,351 square km) and 14th largest by population (163,919). Population peaked at 202,033 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 83,308 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Wexford is Ireland’s eighth most visited tourist county with around 229,000 international visitors per year.
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