Preview: Lory Meagher Cup Final - Leitrim v Longford
Leitrim hurler Paul Lenehan, left, and Longford hurler Cathal Mullane pictured with the Lory Meagher cup during the launch of the Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher cup competitions at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.
Sunday, May 31
Lory Meagher Cup Final
Leitrim v Longford, Croke Park, 12.30 (Sport TG4 YouTube)
Sunday’s Lory Meagher Cup Final will see near-neighbours Leitrim and Longford go head-to-head. Longford will be appearing in their sixth Lory Meagher Final, having lost out twice this decade (2022 and 2024). Leitrim reached two deciders in three years towards the end of the 2010s, lifting their maiden title in 2017.
In a second season under Kilkenny native Mike Wall, Leitrim once again finished just short in the promotion race in Division Four of the league. Unlike last year, when they faded out in the last two rounds, this time, Leitrim ended their campaign with some momentum; winning their last four games.
They carried that momentum into this campaign, stretching their winning streak to nine. Wall has championship-winning pedigree, having previously won All-Ireland MHC and Intermediate Camogie titles in charge of teams in his home county and he has recruited outside talents such as Daniel Miller, Colm Canning, Philip Burgess and Paul Mulligan.
Two-time Lory Meagher winners Longford, who last lifted this title in 2014, have been on an upward curve so far this year. Starting with four consecutive wins set Diarmuid Cahill’s side up to secure promotion, with Sligo being the only team to beat them in Division Four.
They maintained that sort of form in the group stage of the Lory Meagher, winning four out of five, with their only blemish to date coming away to Sunday’s opponents in round three.
Leitrim have an impressive spread of scorers, with Miller and Canning being capably supported by the likes of Gavin O’Hagan, James McNabola, Burgess and Mulligan. Joe Murray, Burgess and Stephen Goldrick give them plenty of strength in the middle third, while veteran Clement Cunniffe now has several seasons under his belt as a goalkeeper.
Longford are the competition’s most prolific team, with the long-serving Reuben Murray second only to Monaghan’s Niall Arthur in the individual scoring charts. Joe Rabbitt should return from suspension to boost their attacking options. Limerick natives Cathal Mullane and Martin Farrell can also contribute to the scoresheet, as can Westmeath man Paddy Lynam and David Buckley from Tipperary, a fellow county-man of Longford manager Cahill.
The vastly-experienced Johnny Casey can make an impact at either end, while James Connell is a tigerish presence in the full-back line in front of keeper Johnny Maher (Kilmacud Crokes).
These teams’ meetings in 2026 have produced one win each – with an aggregate score of Leitrim 1-39 Longford 3-33 – so a close contest looks to be on the cards.
LONGFORD: Johnny Maher; Ciarán McNally, Sean Lancaster, James Connell; Johnny Casey, Martin Farrell, Evan Tully; Reuben Murray, Paddy Lynam; Maitiu O'Donohoe, Ronan Courtney, Cathal Mullane (VC); Joe Rabbitt, David Buckley, Mícheál Mulcahy. Subs: Eamonn Allen, Daire Regan, Adam Quinn, Seán Tiernan, Dan Crossan, Diarmaid Caslin, Niall Hawes, Killian Courtney, Oisin Gately, Stephen Murray, Kealan Cox
LEITRIM: Clement Cunniffe; Paul Lenehan, Conor Hackett, Pearse Kenny; Niall Crowe, Martin Feeney, Joe Murray Capt; Philip Burgess, Stephen Goldrick; Paul Mulligan, James Mc Nabola, Kevin Clerkin; Dhani Keane, Colm Canning, Gavin O Hagan. Subs: Jamie Ward, Paddy Clerkin, Gavin O Brien, Michael O Brien, Sean O Riordan, Connor McLoughlin, Mark McHugh, Tommie Taylor, Dean Early, Aaron Rynn Senan Keane
Leitrim’s Lory Meagher Cup scorers 2026: Daniel Miller 1-20 (0-12f); Colm Canning 1-19 (0-8f); Gavin O’Hagan 2-12; James McNabola 1-5; Philip Burgess 0-8 (4f); Paul Mulligan 0-7; Dhani Keane, Michael O’Brien 1-3 each; Stephen Goldrick 0-5; Seán Ó Riordáin (2f), Martin Feeney 0-4 each; Kevin Clerkin 0-3; Senan Keane 0-2; Joe Murray, Niall Crowe, Clement Cunniffe (f), Paddy Clerkin 0-1 each.
Longford’s Lory Meagher Cup scorers 2026: Reuben Murray 1-40 (1-0 pen, 0-31f, 0-1 ’65); Joe Rabbitt 2-6; Johnny Casey, Micheál Mulcahy, Ronan Courtney 2-4 each; Paddy Lynam 0-9; Cathal Mullane 1-6; Martin Farrell 1-5 (1-2f); Maitiú O’Donohoe 0-7; David Buckley 1-3; Niall Hawes, Stephen Murray, Evan Tully 1-2 each; Dan Crossan, Seán Tiernan 1-0; Adam Quinn 0-1.
