Lory Meagher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lory Meagher

Lory Meagher (left) prior to the start of the 1931 All-Ireland final.
Personal information
Irish name	Labhraí Ó Meachair
Sport	Hurling
Position	Midfield
Born	25 May 1899 Tullaroan, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Died	17 May 1973 (aged 73) Kilkenny, Ireland
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Nickname	Lory
Occupation	Farmer
Club(s)
Years	Club
	Tullaroan
Club titles
Kilkenny titles	5
Inter-county(ies)*
Years	County	Apps (scores)
1924–1937	Kilkenny	39 (8–46)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles	8
All-Irelands	3
NHL	1
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 00:59, 1 July 2013.

Lorenzo Ignatius "Lory" Meagher (born 25 May 1899 – died 17 May 1973) was a famous Irish hurler. He played as a midfielder for the Kilkenny county team.

Lory was born in Tullaroan, County Kilkenny. He joined the Kilkenny senior team when he was 24 years old. His first game was in the 1924 championship. Lory played for Kilkenny for over ten years.

During his career, he won three All-Ireland medals. He also won eight Leinster medals and one National Hurling League medal. Lory was the team captain when Kilkenny won the All-Ireland in 1935. He played in four All-Ireland finals that Kilkenny did not win.

Lory also played for the Leinster team. He won two Railway Cup medals with them in 1927 and 1933. For his club, Tullaroan, he won five county championship medals.

He played 39 championship games for Kilkenny. Lory stopped playing after Kilkenny lost to Tipperary in the 1937 championship. His brothers, Frank, Willie, and Henry, also played well for Kilkenny.

Lory Meagher is considered one of hurling's greatest players. He was chosen for the Hurling Team of the Century in 1984. He was also on the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.

Playing Career Highlights

Lory Meagher had a very successful career in hurling. He played for his local club, his county, and his province.

Club Success with Tullaroan

Lory started playing for his club, Tullaroan, in 1919. His first final was in 1919, but Tullaroan lost to Mooncoin.

In 1924, Tullaroan won the championship. They beat Clonmanto, and Lory earned his first club medal. They won again in 1925, beating Dicksboro in a close game.

After a few years, Tullaroan reached the final again in 1930. They easily beat Urlingford, giving Lory his third medal.

In 1933, Lory was the team captain. Tullaroan won the championship again, beating Carrickshock. This was Lory's fourth medal. The next year, 1934, they won again against Carrickshock. This gave Lory his fifth and final club championship medal, and his second as captain.

His club career ended in 1936. Tullaroan lost a very close final to Mooncoin.

Inter-County Journey with Kilkenny

Lory Meagher first played for the Kilkenny senior team in 1924. They lost to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final.

In 1925, Kilkenny won the Leinster title. They were awarded the win after an issue with the final game against Dublin. Lory got his first Leinster medal.

He won his second Leinster medal in 1926, beating Offaly. Later that year, Lory played in his first All-Ireland final. His brothers, Willie and Henry, were also on the team. Kilkenny lost to Cork in a snowy game.

In 1929, Kilkenny won the Leinster final against Dublin. However, the game was later cancelled due to a dispute.

After losing in 1930, Kilkenny won the Leinster title again in 1931. Lory earned his third Leinster medal. They then faced Cork in the All-Ireland final. The first game was a draw. Lory scored a great point in the replay, but that game was also a draw. Lory was injured for the third game and Kilkenny lost to Cork.

Kilkenny won the Leinster title again in 1932. Lory got his fourth Leinster medal. They played Clare in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won a low-scoring game, 3–3 to 2–3. Lory scored a fantastic goal from a line ball. This was his first All-Ireland medal.

In 1933, Lory won a National Hurling League medal. Kilkenny beat Limerick in the final. He then won his fifth Leinster medal, scoring a key goal against Dublin. Kilkenny played Limerick in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won 1–7 to 0–6. This was Lory's second All-Ireland medal in a row.

Kilkenny won the Leinster championship again in 1935. Lory, as captain, earned his sixth Leinster medal. They met Limerick again in the All-Ireland final. It was a classic game, played in the rain. Lory scored a huge point from midfield in the second half. Kilkenny won by one point, 2–5 to 2–4. This was Lory's third All-Ireland medal. He proudly lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

In 1936, Lory won his seventh Leinster medal. Kilkenny beat Laois in the final. They faced Limerick again in the All-Ireland final. Limerick played very well and Kilkenny lost.

Lory's influence on the team was starting to lessen by 1937. He still played in the Leinster final, winning his eighth medal. Kilkenny beat Dublin. He was a substitute for the All-Ireland final against Tipperary. He came on during the game, but Kilkenny lost. This was his last game for Kilkenny.

Playing for Leinster Province

Lory also played for the Leinster team. This team is made up of the best players from different counties in the Leinster province.

He first played in the Railway Cup semi-final by chance. A player dropped out, and Lory, who was watching, took his place. He played so well that he was kept for the final. Leinster beat Munster, and Lory won his first Railway Cup medal in 1927.

After some years, Leinster won the title again in 1933. This gave Lory his second Railway Cup medal.

How Lory Meagher is Remembered

Lory Meagher is known as one of the greatest hurlers of all time.

A hurling writer named Moondharrig said Lory was a "stylist" on the field. He meant Lory played with great skill and grace. He could hit the ball perfectly from the ground or in the air.

Tommy Doyle, another famous hurler, wrote that Lory was one of Kilkenny's best players ever. He said Lory could play brilliantly when it mattered most.

After Lory passed away in 1973, a sportswriter said he had never seen anyone with Lory's skill. He called Lory a "magician" with the hurley stick and the ball.

At his funeral, some Cork hurling legends carried his coffin. These were players he had competed against in the famous 1931 All-Ireland finals.

In 1984, ten years after his death, Lory was honored. He was chosen as a midfielder on the Hurling Team of the Century. In 2000, he was also named on the Hurling Team of the Millennium. He was also on the Kilkenny Team of the Century and the Tullaroan Team of the Century.

In 2008, a new hurling competition was named after him. It is called the Lory Meagher Cup.

Lory Meagher's Life

Lory Meagher was born Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher in Tullaroan. The name Lorenzo was a family tradition.

His family was very involved in Irish history and Gaelic games. His father, Henry Joseph Meagher, might have been at the first meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884. His mother, Elizabeth Keoghan, was related to the famous Grace family. They won many All-Ireland medals. His cousin, Jack Keoghan, won five All-Ireland medals. Jer Doheny, who captained Kilkenny's first All-Ireland winning team, was also a cousin. The Meagher family were successful farmers.

Lory was the third of eight children. His siblings included Willie, Kathleen, Frank, Elizabeth, Mary Agnes, Henry, and Rose Angela.

After finishing school, Lory worked as a farmer his whole life. He never married.

Honours and Awards

Team Achievements

Tullaroan

• Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship (5): 1924, 1925, 1930, 1933 (as captain), 1934 (as captain)

Kilkenny

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (3): 1932, 1933, 1935 (as captain)
• Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (8): 1925, 1926, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935 (as captain), 1936, 1937
• National Hurling League (1): 1932–33

Leinster

• Railway Cup (2): 1927, 1933

Individual Recognition

• Hurling Team of the Millennium: Midfield position
• Hurling Team of the Century: Midfield position
• Kilkenny Team of the Century: Midfield position
• Tullaroan Team of the Century: Midfield position
• GAA Hall of Fame Inductee: 2013