Rackard Coady is a man on a mission. The country music loving kit manager with the Kilkenny senior hurling team, the most successful hurling team ever, aims to raise €10,000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Dublin.
A new dvd and cd, Rackard Is The Man, is his ticket to reaching this all-important goal. The Celtic Cats is the band featured on the cd and they have strong connections with Rackard’s home area of Graiguenamanagh.
“The lads were behind the project from the outset. They do a lot of shows in America and Germany and all over. I am very thankful to them for all their help with this venture,” says Rackard.
Denis Coady was labeled with the name Rackard while playing hurling in school in Graiguenamanagh.
“One day, someone called me Rackard after the famous Wexford hurling family and it stuck. That’s what I’ve been known as now for years.”
Rackard joined the Kilkenny set-up back in 1977. He has been very lucky since. During his time as kit manager, he has seen Kilkenny win 14 All-Ireland senior titles, 12 National League titles, 21 Leinster titles (Bob O’Keeffe Cup) and eight Walsh Cups. Phenomenal times indeed.
“It has been an amazing journey and I love it the same as the first day I was asked to join the set-up. Brian Cody has been an exceptional manager. We will never see his likes or the likes of the Kilkenny team of the past decade or so again. It is an absolute honor to be involved with these lads.”
The long-standing tradition of bringing the Liam McCarthy (and Sam Maguire) Cup to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Dublin on the morning after the All-Ireland final is something that has always touched the heart of Rackard in a special way.
“You should see what it means to the children and their parents when the team comes in with the cup and visits the wards. Those days are so special and it is a real privilege for the winning team to be part of this tradition.”
These occasions provided the inspiration for Rackard to pioneer his fundraising venture for Crumlin Hospital.
“I have always loved music and the bands. Country music is what I grew up on and to this day I still love to hear Jim Reeves and Marty Robbins. I loved the showbands too and all their style of music.
“Together with the four-track cd, there is a dvd which includes a video of Johnny McEvoy walking through the wards of Crumlin Hospital with the Kilkenny team while singing The Rose of Mooncoin.
“The song about my 37 years with the team is also included on the dvd. There is a small booklet as well. The whole package costs just €10 and this will be the best €10 anyone will spend this year because they will be supporting such a good cause.
“My aim is to sell 1,000 of them and then I will be able to present the cheque for €10,000 to Crumlin Hospital.
“I am well on the way to achieving that target thanks to great support from so many people. A lot of friends from the hurling and sporting scene are lending their support.
“I also want to thank Irish Country Living for this special feature. A lot of people in rural areas know me very well and this is a great platform to promote my fundraiser. The goodwill is terrific and I want as many people as possible to contact me so that I can reach the target,” says Rackard.
• People can support the fundraising effort for Crumlin Children’s hospital by sending a cheque/postal order (which includes postage) to Rackard Coady, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, or by contacting him directly on 087-6276676.
Rackard Coady is a man on a mission. The country music loving kit manager with the Kilkenny senior hurling team, the most successful hurling team ever, aims to raise €10,000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Dublin.
A new dvd and cd, Rackard Is The Man, is his ticket to reaching this all-important goal. The Celtic Cats is the band featured on the cd and they have strong connections with Rackard’s home area of Graiguenamanagh.
“The lads were behind the project from the outset. They do a lot of shows in America and Germany and all over. I am very thankful to them for all their help with this venture,” says Rackard.
Denis Coady was labeled with the name Rackard while playing hurling in school in Graiguenamanagh.
“One day, someone called me Rackard after the famous Wexford hurling family and it stuck. That’s what I’ve been known as now for years.”
Rackard joined the Kilkenny set-up back in 1977. He has been very lucky since. During his time as kit manager, he has seen Kilkenny win 14 All-Ireland senior titles, 12 National League titles, 21 Leinster titles (Bob O’Keeffe Cup) and eight Walsh Cups. Phenomenal times indeed.
“It has been an amazing journey and I love it the same as the first day I was asked to join the set-up. Brian Cody has been an exceptional manager. We will never see his likes or the likes of the Kilkenny team of the past decade or so again. It is an absolute honor to be involved with these lads.”
The long-standing tradition of bringing the Liam McCarthy (and Sam Maguire) Cup to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Dublin on the morning after the All-Ireland final is something that has always touched the heart of Rackard in a special way.
“You should see what it means to the children and their parents when the team comes in with the cup and visits the wards. Those days are so special and it is a real privilege for the winning team to be part of this tradition.”
These occasions provided the inspiration for Rackard to pioneer his fundraising venture for Crumlin Hospital.
“I have always loved music and the bands. Country music is what I grew up on and to this day I still love to hear Jim Reeves and Marty Robbins. I loved the showbands too and all their style of music.
“Together with the four-track cd, there is a dvd which includes a video of Johnny McEvoy walking through the wards of Crumlin Hospital with the Kilkenny team while singing The Rose of Mooncoin.
“The song about my 37 years with the team is also included on the dvd. There is a small booklet as well. The whole package costs just €10 and this will be the best €10 anyone will spend this year because they will be supporting such a good cause.
“My aim is to sell 1,000 of them and then I will be able to present the cheque for €10,000 to Crumlin Hospital.
“I am well on the way to achieving that target thanks to great support from so many people. A lot of friends from the hurling and sporting scene are lending their support.
“I also want to thank Irish Country Living for this special feature. A lot of people in rural areas know me very well and this is a great platform to promote my fundraiser. The goodwill is terrific and I want as many people as possible to contact me so that I can reach the target,” says Rackard.
• People can support the fundraising effort for Crumlin Children’s hospital by sending a cheque/postal order (which includes postage) to Rackard Coady, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, or by contacting him directly on 087-6276676. 
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