Martin Codd
Encyclopedia
Martin Codd was an Irish
sportsperson turned singer and most recently author. He played hurling
with his local club Rathnure
and with the Wexford
senior inter-county team from 1949 until 1965. Trading the ash for the microphone he toured both Ireland and England in the late sixties and early seventies with his Showband "Martin Codd and the Herdsmen". Two records were cut in the late nineties which included "Cuchulainn's Son" a song written by Tom Williams by way of tribute to Nicky Rackard
and "Bobby" written by Martin himself in memory of his great friend and Nicky's brother Bobby Rackard
. 2006 saw the publication of "The Way I Saw It. Nicky Rackard leads Wexford to Hurling Glory" written by Martin himself which chronicles the path of the Wexford Hurling team he was part of in the 1950s.
with the famous Rathnure
club in County Wexford and enjoyed much success. He won senior county titles in 1950, 1955 and 1961.
senior team in the late 1940s. He made his debut in 1949, however, he found it hard to command a regular place on the team. Codd’s first major success came in 1956 when he won his only Leinster
title following a victory over great rivals Kilkenny
. Wexford later faced Cork in one of the most famous All-Ireland finals of all-time. On that occasion Wexford were hoping to capture a second consecutive All-Ireland title while Cork’s Christy Ring
was attempting to win his ninth All-Ireland medal. Both sides were on level pegging for much of the game, however, a famous save by Wexford’s Art Foley
denied Ring a goal. The sliothar was moved quickly up the field where Nicky Rackard
captured the winning goal for Wexford. The game ended on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8 and Codd had captured a coveted All-Ireland
medal.
Codd continued to line out with Wexford until 1965.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson turned singer and most recently author. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Rathnure
Rathnure GAA
Rathnure St. Anne’s is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Rathnure, County Wexford, Ireland. Rathnure's most famous players are the Rackards and Quigley brothers.-First AGM:...
and with the Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior inter-county team from 1949 until 1965. Trading the ash for the microphone he toured both Ireland and England in the late sixties and early seventies with his Showband "Martin Codd and the Herdsmen". Two records were cut in the late nineties which included "Cuchulainn's Son" a song written by Tom Williams by way of tribute to Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard 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...
and "Bobby" written by Martin himself in memory of his great friend and Nicky's brother Bobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1945 until 1957. Rackard is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:...
. 2006 saw the publication of "The Way I Saw It. Nicky Rackard leads Wexford to Hurling Glory" written by Martin himself which chronicles the path of the Wexford Hurling team he was part of in the 1950s.
Club
Codd played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the famous Rathnure
Rathnure
Rathnure is a small village on the R731 regional road about from the town of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland. The village is located at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountain, which borders County Carlow on the opposite side.-Attractions:...
club in County Wexford and enjoyed much success. He won senior county titles in 1950, 1955 and 1961.
Inter-county
Codd first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the WexfordWexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior team in the late 1940s. He made his debut in 1949, however, he found it hard to command a regular place on the team. Codd’s first major success came in 1956 when he won his only Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
title following a victory over great rivals Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. Wexford later faced Cork in one of the most famous All-Ireland finals of all-time. On that occasion Wexford were hoping to capture a second consecutive All-Ireland title while Cork’s Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
was attempting to win his ninth All-Ireland medal. Both sides were on level pegging for much of the game, however, a famous save by Wexford’s Art Foley
Art Foley
Michael Arthur Foley , better known as Art Foley, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Aidan's of Enniscorthy and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1956.-Club:...
denied Ring a goal. The sliothar was moved quickly up the field where Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard 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...
captured the winning goal for Wexford. The game ended on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8 and Codd had captured a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal.
Codd continued to line out with Wexford until 1965.