New York 4-17 Cavan 2-17
As the referee blew the whistle to conclude the match, Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “New York, New York, Start spreading the news” was a fitting segue for the Big Apple hurlers in Croke Park. The news was that New York had just won the Lory Meagher Cup against a spirited Cavan squad, and captain Johnny Glynn was ascending the steps of the Hogan Stand to be presented with the cherished trophy.
At this stage it’s an adage, goals win games, New York banged in three in the first half with Tomas O’Connor, Dara Walsh and AJ Willis the major strikers. Right after the break David Mangan struck a fourth, and most were of the opinion that the game was nearly done and dusted. However, not so, said the Breffni Blues, as they struck for two in the fourth quarter, with Nicholas Kenny and Liam O’Brien, the major strikers, thus keeping the game competitive to the end.
Meanwhile New York settled in quickly and confidently into the game and within seconds from the throw-in a strong run by Sean O’Leary-Hayes set up David Mangan, New York’s chief scorer and man of the match for the opening score. At the other end Cavan’s best player and top scorer Liam O’Brien replied. O’Leary-Hayes was also the originator of New York’s next score as a deft pass to Adam Loughlin-Stones set the scene for a point.
In the early exchanges Cavan appeared to be going toe to toe as Jack McGuinness and Canice Maher struck two spectacular points to go one up. However, Loughlin-Stones soon restored parity with an equally fine effort. On the ten minute-mark Cillian Sheanon edged Cavan back in front; however that lead would not last long, and New York now hit the surge button as Johnny Glynn, Adam Loughlin-Stones, David Mangan, AJ Willis and company were playing with great cohesion and conviction. Tomas O’Connor hit the first goal after Dara Wash laid off the pass. Then came a trio of points from play, courtesy of Mangan, Glynn and O’Meara. At this stage, though Cavan had limited possession they managed three straight points from the sticks of O’Brien, McAllister and Kenny to reduce the deficit to two midway in the period. Both sides struck a duo, Mangan and Loughlin-Stones for the Big Apple, while O’Brien and Sheanon answered for the Breffni Blues. Then came the second goal which was scrambled over the line by AJ Willis.
Both sides swapped points, Dara Walsh for New York and Sean Keating for the opposition. Cavan were undaunted and still in the hunt and would hit over three unanswered points in the next five minutes to reduce the deficit to two points. However, in the last five minutes the deficit went from two to seven. Mangan hit two frees and Dara Walsh banged in a goal with an assist from Loughlin-Stones. The score at the intermission was 3-11 to 0-13 in the Yanks’ favor.
New York's hurlers celebrate with the Lory Meagher Cup. [Inpho/Ben Brady]
The situation went from bad to worse for Cavan after the break. Once again Mangan started the scoring with a pointed free. Then came goal number four that resulted from Mangan scoring a penalty. In essence it was a double whammy as Cavan had a player black-carded as well. As they say, when it rains it pours and that appeared to be the case for Cavan. New York looked to be on target for two more goals, but the heroics of keeper Conor Gallagher denied Walsh and Hammersely, at the expense of “65s” which Mangan pointed.
Despite the deficit Cavan battled away but wasted a number of opportunities before they got a badly needed goal that resulted from an O’Brien free being finished to the net after the original shot was blocked by keeper Daniel Mottram. Indeed the keeper had a busy second half and denied the Cavan attackers with a few super saves. As the game progressed Cavan stepped up their performance offensively as New York went more on the defensive. The game also became quite ragged forcing the referee to issue a few yellow cards. Cavan attackers Keating, O’Brien, Kenny and Maher were keeping New York’s defenders on their toes, and a Cavan raid resulted in a penalty which sharpshooter O’Brien scored, raising Breffni hopes of a late comeback.
However, New York captain Glynn responded with the perfect antidote, a super long range point. Both sides traded late points, Rian Delaney for Cavan and Conor Hammersely, a disputatious one for New York. Cavan needed goals but keeper Mottram repelled the shots with some assistance from the crossbar. Defenders O’Leary Hayes, O’Donoghue, Enna Barry and company shored up the defense with timely interceptions. New York were deserving winners as they had plenty of firepower up front and solid resistance at the back allowed them to keep Cavan under control for most of the game. In fairness to Cavan, though greatly outscored at times, they battled away and ensured a competitive and sporting game to the very end. So next year New York will be competing in the Nicky Rackard Cup, a fourth tier competition. So as Frank Sinatra would sing let’s hope New York hurlers keep spreading the news
Though the Lory Meagher Cup is a fifth tier competition, the lowest ranked, New York’s participation provoked considerable attention among some of the media. Entering at the semifinal stage, or as parachuted in according to some, they had an unfair advantage over other teams.. Realistically it would be financially or physically impossible for New York to play in the preliminary stages. They claimed that New York was a star-studded team backboned by intercounty players. The reality is that New York fielded three former county players, while the critics conveniently forgot that not all of Cavan’s players were from the Blue Hills of Breffni, a few were from southern counties, natural strongholds of hurling. New York were allowed into the competition with over three quarters of the delegates supporting their case at the last Congress. The attitude seems to be you are welcome but don’t rock the boat. If there were issues with New York’s presence in the competition they should have been addressed at Congress. It’s not that long ago that hurling was on life-support in the Big Apple, there were just three teams.
However what’s most disconcerting and insulting are the labels that have been thrown at the New York hurlers. Invariably they have been labelled as parasites, pariahs and cuckoos. Evidently these scribes have no understanding what’s involved in New York hurling. These players along with managers and mentors have invested considerable time, energy and personal resources to promote hurling and to prepare for this competition. The trip to Ireland almost involved two weeks foregoing their jobs and being away from their families. It boggles the mind how you would label these skilled to pariahs or parasites who have done so much to foster Gaelic games and especially hurling among the diaspora. They are very proud to represent New York in perhaps Ireland’s most skillful game. As regards the hurlers emulating the behavioral characteristics of the cuckoo, who supposedly commandeers the nest of another bird for their own selfish use, is absolutely asinine. Meanwhile, the balderdash notwithstanding, congrats to Richie Hartnett and his team on a fine performance in Croke Park and bringing the Lory Meagher Cup to the Big Apple.
New York: Daniel Mottram, Enna Barry, Henry Keyes, James Cronin Rodger, Darren O’Donohue. Daragh Moran, Sean O’Leary Hayes, Tom O’Meara(0-1) Adam Loughlin Stones(0-3) Jonathan Glynn(capt.0-2) David Mangan(1-7), AJ Willis(1-1)Tomas O’Connor(1-0), Conor Hammersely(0-1), Dara Walsh(1-1), Subs James Bermingham for Daragh Moran, Ger McPartland for Tom O’Meara, Aidan Organ(0-1) for Tomas O’Connor, Brian McPartland for Enna Barry, Darragh Hynes for Dara Walsh.
Cavan: Conor Gallagher, Shane Briody, Enda Shalvey(capt), Stephen Sheridan, Dillon Mulligan(0-1), Cillian Sheanon(0-2), Mathew Hynes, Canice Maher(0-1),Jack McGuinness,(0-2), Liam O’Brien(1-7), Eamon Og McAllister(0-1), Colum Sheanon, Nicholas Kenny(1-1), Sean Keating(0-1), Jack Barry. Subs Tomas Leonard for Jack McGuinness, Mark Moffett for Jack Barry, Daniel Martin for Shane Briody, Rian Delaney(0-1)for Dillon Mulligan. Man of Match David Mangan, Referee Kevin Parke(Antrim).
The Lory Meagher Cup
Lory Meagher(1899- 1973) was a native of Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny. He was regarded as one of the greatest hurlers that Kilkenny ever produced. A midfielder, his county career lasted from 1924 to 1937. During that time Lory won eight Leinster titles, three All-Irelands and one National League. In addition he was an All-Ireland runner up on four occasions, and captained Kilkenny to an All-Ireland in 1935. Lory also played on Leinster’s interprovincial at various times during his career, winning two Railway Cup medals. In 1984 he was voted on to the team of greatest players, listed at midfield with Jack Lynch, the former Taoiseach , on the hurling team of the century. Likewise he was also named on the hurling team of the Millenium in 2000. His club playing career included five championship medals with Tullaroan. Besides his stellar career, Lory farmed extensively throughout his life.
