Rathnue Camogie Club held their first meeting on the 29th February 1968. Under the guidance of the late Syl Barron, John Cahill and Teddy O'Connor the first officers were elected. Marcella Redmond was the club's first Chairperson, while Eileen Ryan (nee Doyle) was appointed Secretary and Patricia Codd (nee Murphy) became Treasurer. Marcella was a former Carlow County player and also became the fir
st trainer of the club. The first few years of existance were not successful on the playing field. However, in 1971 the club won the Minor (Under-16) county final and this was the start of a glorious six-in-a-row winning streak at that level. Rathnure were beaten in two Junior finals but made a breakthrough at adult level in winning the championship in 1972, captained by Betty Hearn. The club has the unique distinction of being the first club to win each new competition inaugerated by the County Board (minor, juvenile and primary schools). After winning Junior in 1972, the club entered four teams in the various championships of 1973 - intermediate, junior, minor and juvenile. Success in 1973 occurred in juvenile, minor and intermediate. Winning the intermediate title means attaining our Senior status which the club still hold to this day. The club also entered a team in the community games and qualified for the finals. Resulting in a trip to Butlins and beating Roscrea (Tipperary) in the final, that team became the first camogie team to bring All-Ireland club success to Rathnure and Wexford. Carol Higgins was presented with the 'Milk Merit Award' for player of the tournament. The following year, 1974, the first camogie Féile na nGael was held in Co. The club had the honour of representing Wexford in this huge event which, throughout the following years grew in prestige and popularity. By overcoming the Limerick champions Ahane in the final by 5-0 to 0-1, Rathnure became the first camogie team to win the competition, bringing another All-Ireland title to Rathnure. Minor and Juvenile championship wins were the highlight of a very successful year. After many wins at under-age level throughout the '80s, the biggest success arrived in 1989 when the Senior team were successful in dethroning 14 time Senior champions, Buffers Alley. Unfortunately, the title was lost once more in 1990 but regained again in 1991, and with wins in 1992 and 1993, the club completed the three-in-a-row. In that era, Rathnure also won a first Leinster Club championship, beating Lisdowney of Kilkenny in the 1992 final. After wins at the quarter-final and semi-final stages, they reached their first All-Ireland Senior final but unfortunately fell short to Glen Rovers from Cork. Success finally came in 1995, travelling to the home venue of Toomevara in Co. Tipperary where they became Senior All Ireland Club champions for the first time. They followed on by winning county championships in 1996, 1999 and 2000. Success didn't come again at this level until 2008, when they beat the successful Oulart-The Ballagh who were chasing a six-in-a-row at the time. This brought our level of top honours to nine county Senior titles, four Leinster titles, and one All-Ireland Club title. Another breakthrough was made at under-age when the Minors (now Under-18) won six Premier titles in seven years (2010 to 2013, 2015 and 2016), and most of these players are now part of the Senior panel. Following on with Junior success in 2016, we now field both Senior and Intermediate adult teams, and at every level under age. In 2017 our Senior team had success again over dominating Oulart The Ballagh in the county semi final, unfortunately losing out the St Martins in the county final after extra time. Success again in 2020 as our Intermediate team over came Craanford in the County Final. This meaning that the club held the honour of two Senior teams. For a small rural club set at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains, Rathnure have enjoyed many great years of success since its formation over 50 years ago. We have been very competitive throughout the years at club level, and represented the county with distinction at every level. Many of their past and present players have represented Wexford, while also bringing back Leinster and All-Ireland glory to the club and county.
