A true sporting legend and hero to many

I really enjoyed reading Michael Moynihan’s tribute to Nicky Rackard in your newspaper recently, (Sport, March 19).

As the son of a passionate Wexford man and a Cork mother, hurling was the game we played in our back garden in Cabra in the heart of Dublin city.

I never fully understood till years later why my father, who came from a football part of the county, chose hurling over football. I discovered that it was all down to the Rackard brothers and their heroic and sporting exploits throughout the ’40s and ’50s.

My uncle Jim told me that he was at a county final in New Ross and once again Nicky was the hero of the day. As always, when the game was over, he was surrounded by children who craved his attention and his autograph.

One determined little girl who could not get near him managed to grab hold of the tail of his jersey and held on for dear life as he made his way from the side of the pitch to the dressing room.

With that he turned around, spotted the “wee one” and handed her his hurley. I find writing this letter emotional as this great man had a huge influence on my childhood, as he did on many others.

I will be visiting the statue in Wexford after it is erected. It’s about time for such a tribute and I bet you that little girl will be there as well.

Jim Jackman

Castleknock

Dublin 15