Lory Meagher
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| Lory Meagher | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Hurling | |
| Irish Name | Lory Ó Meagher | |
| Full name | Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher | |
| Place of birth | Tullaroan , County Kilkenny | |
| Nickname(s) | Lory | |
| Club information | ||
| Club | Tullaroan | |
| Position | Midfield | |
| Inter-County | ||
| County | Kilkenny | |
| Position | Midfield | |
| Inter-County(ies)** | ||
| County | Years | Apps (scores) |
| Kilkenny | 1924-1935 | 39 (8-46) |
| Senior Inter-County Titles | ||
| Leinster Titles | 6 | |
| All-Ireland | 3 | |
|
* club appearances and scores |
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Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher (1899-1973), better known as Lory Meagher, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Tullaroan club in the 1920s and 1930s and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1924 until 1935. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game.
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[edit] 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.
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.
[edit] Playing career
[edit] 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 and secured four more county victories in 1925, 1930, 1933 and 1934.
[edit] Inter-county
Meagher made his inter-county debut for Kilkenny in a game against Dublin in 1924. His side lost that day, however, the team returned in 1925 with Meagher winning his first Leinster title. Kilkenny were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1926 Meagher was joined on the Kilkenny team by his two brothers, Henry and Willie. That year he won his second Leinster title before lining out in his first All-Ireland final. Cork provided the opposition on that occasion. At a snow covered Croke Park Meagher ended up on the losing side as victory went to the Leesiders on a score line of 4-6 to 2-0. The Kilkenny team, however, went into decline following this defeat. It was 1931 before Meagher, who was now installed as captain of the team, won his third Leinster title. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Cork once again provided the opposition. The game itself turned out to be a remarkable contest with both sides ending with 1-6 apiece. The replay took place one month later and was just as good 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. 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.
Meagher had now lost two All-Ireland finals, however, he remained determined. He won a fourth Leinster title in 1932 before lining out in a third All-Ireland final at Croke Park. The Munster champions, Clare, were Kilkenny’s opponents in the final and, once again, Meagher had a great game. He scored a remarkable goal for his team from a line ball, giving Kilkenny a 3-3 to 2-3 victory. Meagher had finally secured his first All-Ireland medal. The following year Meagher won 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 fifth Leinster title and, once again, Kilkenny qualified for the All-Ireland final. Limerick lined out against the Leinster champions on that occasion, however, it was the latter that ended up with the victory and Meagher had captured a second 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 sixth 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-Ireand medal. He retired from inter-county hurling following this victory.
| Preceded by ' |
Kilkenny Senior Hurling Captain 1931 |
Succeeded by Jimmy Walsh |
| Preceded by ' |
Kilkenny Senior Hurling Captain 1935 |
Succeeded by Paddy Larkin |
| Preceded by Timmy Ryan (Limerick) |
All-Ireland Hurling Final winning captain 1935 |
Succeeded by Mick Mackey (Limerick) |
[edit] Bród Tullaroan
Meagher's house is preserved as Bród Tullaroan and is open to the public. This is a 17th century, two storey thatched farmhouse where Lory Meagher lived with his sisters. The house was restored to something approaching its original state in the early 1900s. 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 County 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.
[edit] Teams
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Brendan Fullam, Captains of the Ash, (Wolfhound Press, 2004)
