Lory Meagher

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = Lory Meagher
irish = Labhraí Ó Meachair
fullname = Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher
placeofbirth = Tullaroan
countryofbirth = County Kilkenny
dob =
feet = 5
inches = 11
nickname = Lory
county = Kilkenny
province = Leinster
club = Tullaroan
clposition = Midfield
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Kilkenny
icposition = Midfield
icyears = 1924-1937
icapps(points) = 39 (8-46)
icprovince = 9
icallireland = 3
nhl = 1
clupdate =
icupdate =

Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher (1899–1973), better known as Lory Meagher, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Tullaroan and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1924 until 1937. Meagher is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game. [cite book| first=Eoghan| last=Corry| title=The GAA Book of Lists| publisher=Hodder Headline| year=2005| id= | pages=p. 235-236]

Early & private life

Lory Meagher was born in Tullaroan, County Kilkenny in 1899 and was christened with the unusual name of Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher. The name Lorenzo had been in the family for generations and one of his grand uncles named Lorenzo had been a naval doctor. Meagher was born into a family that was heavily involved in nationalist politics and in Gaelic games. His father, Henry Joseph Meagher, is believed to have attended the very first meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Thurles, County Tipperary in 1884. Naturally he encouraged all of his sons to play hurling. [cite book| first=Brendan| last=Fullam| title=Captains of the Ash| publisher=Wolfhound Press| year=2004| id= | pages=p. 130]

In private Meagher was a shy and retiring man. He spent spent his whole life working as a farmer and never married. He was known for many years as the most eligible bachelor in Kilkenny. Meagher avoided the limelight and was always wary of journalists. Fame was not for him.

Playing career

Club

Meagher played his club hurling with the famous Tullaroan club in Kilkenny and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1924 after a 4-4 to 2-2 defeat of Clonmanto. This was followed by a second consecutive county title the following year as Dicksboro were accounted for in the final. After an absence of five years Meagher captured a third county medal in 1930 with a 4-4 to 0-3 thrashing of Urlingford. He finished off his club hurling career with two further county titles in 1933 and 1934 with back-to-back victories over Carrickshock.

Inter-county

Meagher made his senior inter-county debut for Kilkenny in a Leinster championship game against Dublin in 1924. His side lost that day, however, the Kilkenny team was back in the Leinster final again in 1925 with Dublin providing the opposition. After a high-scoring game ‘the Dubs’ were ahead at the full-time whistle by 6-4 to 4-7. An objection by Kilkenny subsequently overturned the result and Meagher collected his first Leinster title. [cite book| first=Des| last=Donegan| title=The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games| publisher= DBA Publications| year=2005| id= | pages=p. 26] Kilkenny, however, were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final by Galway on a score line of 9-4 to 6-0.

1926 saw Meagher win his first Leinster title on the field of play as Kilkenny defeated Offaly in the provincial decider. ‘The Cats’ later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Cork provided the opposition. The game wasn’t played until later October and snow covered the Croke Park surface. After an entertaining opening thirty minutes Cork led by a point at the interval. Paddy Ahern led the attack for the Munster champions who were the 4-6 to 2-0 winners at the full-time whistle. ["The GAA Book of Lists" p. 344]

The Kilkenny team went into decline following this defeat; however, the team defeated Dublin in the Leinster final of 1929. This 3-5 to 2-6 result was later declared void as both teams were disqualified for being late on the field. ["The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games" p. 26] In spite of this Kilkenny still represented Leinster in the All-Ireland series, however, Meagher’s side was defeated by Galway in the semi-final.

Two years later in 1931 Meagher added a third Leinster title to his collection with a five-point defeat of Laois. A subsequent defeat of Galway allowed Kilkenny to advance to the All-Ireland final where Cork provided the opposition once again. The game itself turned out to be a remarkable contest with both sides ending the game with 1-6 apiece. The replay took place one month later and proved to be just as exciting a contest as the first game. Meagher was playing the best hurling of his career at this time and scored a magnificent point from 90 yards out the field. In spite of this great effort a winner couldn’t be found and both sides finished level again at 2-5 apiece. After this game officials pressed for extra time, however, Cork captain Eudie Coughlan rejected this. It was also suggested at a meeting of the GAA’s Central Council that both counties be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player. This motion was later defeated. As the All-Ireland saga went to a third meeting Meagher was ruled out of the second replay because of broken ribs sustained in the first replay. Such was the esteem in which he was held the game was virtually conceded to Cork since the star captain couldn’t play. In spite of fielding a younger team, Kilkenny were defeated by Cork on a score line of 5-8 to 3-4. ["The GAA Book of Lists" p. 346]

Meagher had now lost two All-Ireland finals, however, he remained determined. He won another Leinster title in 1932 with another defeat of Dublin before lining out in a third All-Ireland final at Croke Park. The Munster champions, Clare, were Kilkenny’s opponents in the final. In a low-scoring but tense game Clare’s Tull Considine scored two goals and was foiled for what would almost certainly have been a third. These goals were negated by Kilkenny’s three goal-scoring heroes Matty Power, Martin White and Meagher, who scored a remarkable goal from a line ball. The final score of 3-3 to 2-3 gave victory to Kilkenny and gave Meagher a coveted All-Ireland medal. ["The GAA Book of Lists" p. 346]

The following year Meagher began the year by winning a coveted National Hurling League medal. It was Kilkenny’s first triumph in that competition and the county’s last until 1962. Meagher later collected his sixth Leinster title after a defeat of Dublin and, once again, Kilkenny qualified for the All-Ireland final. Limerick lined out against the Leinster champions on that occasion as just over 45,000 people turned up at Croke Park. Such was the crowd that the gates were locked five minutes before the game began and 5,000 people were locked out. The game was a close one; however, Kilkenny sealed the victory with a great solo-run goal by Johnny Dunne. ["The GAA Book of Lists" p. 346-347] A 1-7 to 0-6 win gave Meagher his second consecutive All-Ireland medal.

Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1934, however, the side reclaimed the title in 1935 with Meagher, serving as captain for a second time, collecting a seventh Leinster medal. Limerick provided the opposition once again and were the red-hot favourites. They were the reigning National League and All-Ireland champions and had played a remarkable 31 games without defeat. A record crowd of over 46,000 turned up to watch a hurling classic. In spite of rain falling throughout the entire game both sides served up a great game. At the beginning of the second-half Meagher sent over a huge point from midfield giving Kilkenny a lead which they wouldn’t surrender. As a result of this victory Meagher captured a third All-Ireland medal in four years.

In 1936 Meagher had reached an age where most other hurlers would be contemplating retirement. He stayed with the team and his loyalty was rewarded when he picked up an eighth Leinster title following a 4-6 to 2-5 defeat of Laois. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Limerick provided the opposition for the third time in four years. Meagher’s side were completely outclassed in this game courtesy of Jackie Power goals in the first half. Three more Limerick goals followed in the second-half as Kilkenny were defeated by 5-6 to 1-5.

Meagher was still a member of the team again in 1937 as Kilkenny qualified for the Leinster final once again. Westmeath were accounted for on that occasion by a score line of 5-3 to 2-4 as Meagher collected his ninth Leinster winners’ medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final was played in the unusual surroundings of FitzGerald Stadium in Killarney due to a builders strike at Croke Park. Tipperary were the opponents on that occasion and surprised Kilkenny with a tour de force. Meagher came on as a substitute in the second-half to score his team’s only point of the half. Kilkenny inexplicably collapsed as Tipp recorded a 3-11 to 0-3 victory in one of the most one-sided championship deciders ever. This was Meagher’s last game in the black and amber jersey of Kilkenny.

Provincial

Meagher also lined out with Leinster in the inter-provincial hurling championship and enjoyed much success. He was a key played on the Leinster team in 1927, the inaugural year of the competition. That year he collected his first Railway Cup medal as Leinster defeated Munster. The southern province dominated the competition for the next few years, however, Meagher added a second and final Railway Cup medal to his collection in 1933.

Recognition

Following his death Lory Meagher came to be regarded as perhaps one of the greatest hurlers of all-time. He was personally honoured by being posthumously named on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century in 1984. ["The GAA Book of Lists" p. 236] Meagher's reputation was cemented in 2000 when he was also named on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium. ["The GAA Book of Lists" p. 235] In 2008 the GAA further honoured Meagher by naming the Lory Meagher Cup, the hurling competition for Division 4 teams, in his honour.

Meagher's house is preserved as "Bród Tullaroan" in Tullaroan, County Kilkenny and is open to the public. This is a 17th century, two storey thatched farmhouse where Meagher lived with his sisters. The house was restored to something approaching its original state in the late 1800s. It gives an insight into the lifestyle of a reasonably wealthy Irish farming family of that period. Adjoining the house there is an exhibition centre and museum dedicated to Kilkenny's many exploits in Gaelic games. Here one can find a wealth of sporting history with a unique collection of trophies and other mementos of the sport including medals and personal awards earned by Meagher and others. [cite web|url=http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_45232|title=The Lory Meagher Homestead And Kilkenny GAA Museum|publisher=Discover Ireland|date=|accessdate=2008-10-06]

Honours

Player

Tullaroan

*Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship:
**Winner (3): 1924, 1925, 1930, 1933, 1934
**Runner-up (1): 1936

Kilkenny

*All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship:
**Winner (3): 1932, 1933, 1935
**Runner-up (4): 1926, 1931, 1936, 1937
*Leinster Senior Hurling Championship:
**Winner (9): 1925, 1926, 1939, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937
**Runner-up (2): 1927, 1934
*National Hurling League:
**Winner (1): 1932-1933

Leinster

*Railway Cup:
**Winner (2): 1927, 1933
**Runner-up (4): 1929, 1930, 1934, 1935

ee also

* List of people on stamps of Ireland

References

Teams