Citation by John O'Shea - On Saturday evening last outside Pairc Ciocaim in Dundrum on the occasion of the presentation of the New Johnny Leahy Cup to the West Board, by Mr Kevin Leahy.
The old Johnny Leahy Cup has been in existence since 1931 but sadly has come to the end of its reign and is being retired. In the modern Ireland, many people are trying to rewrite or certainly change our history and also our culture.
Its very important that we in the GAA maintain our links with the past generations and recognise their contributions, not only to our organisation, but to society in general.
Many were involved in the foundation of the State and contributed hugely to the maintaining of our games and our culture. Johnny Leahy is a man that I would include in this category.
History of the Johnny Leahy Cup.
Johnny Leahy was Secretary of the Tipperary Co. Board from 1927 – 1947 and played a key role in the setting up of the West Division.
A meeting was held in Dundrum, across the road from Pairc Ciocaim, Dundrum in the Golden Vale, on Sunday January 26th, 1930 with a view to setting up a 4th. Division in Tipperary.
Johnny Leahy acted as temporary chairman of that famous meeting and the presence of such an esteemed and well-respected person was a huge endorsement of the new body.
It was decided at this meeting that the County Convention be asked to sanction this new 4th Division. The new West Division was sanctioned at the County Convention at Clonmel on Sunday 2nd. February 1930.
The 1st Annual Convention of the West Board was held, again at the Golden Vale Dundrum on January 18th, 1931 and was attended by Johnny Leahy.
At this convention Captain Leahy offered a cup for Junior Hurling in West Tipperary. This Cup was designed by Messrs Egan of Cork and was subsequently on display for the first time at a board meeting on February 22nd. 1931.
Later that year Knockavilla became the first holders of the Johnny Leahy Cup when they defeated Cashel after a replay at Clonoulty on the 13th of December.
The cup has been in use within the Division since that time and at a Board Management Meeting earlier this year it was decided to retire the famous Cup on the grounds of ill health.
Following the decision to retire the Cup, it was decided to find a replacement and as a result I made some enquiries with a view to try to establish a family link to the great Captain Leahy.
This led me to make contact with Mr. Kevin Leahy, a grand nephew of the late Johnny Leahy, who on hearing about the history of the Cup was only too delighted to donate a replacement to the Board.
This new Cup will be presented for the first time to the winners of the Divisional Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship in July.
Johnny Leahy (27 December 1891 – 19 November 1949) came from a great hurling dynasty in Tubbradora, Boherlahan. which included his brothers Paddy, Mick and Tommy, who all played intercounty at various times.
Johnny first played with Tipperary in a tournament game in 1909 and made his championship debut in 1914 and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement after the 1928 Championship.
During his playing career he won 5 Munster medals and 2 All Ireland medals as Captain in 1916 and 1925.
He was also on the losing Tipperary side in the All Ireland’s of 1917 and 1922. He was also won a National League medal in 1928 and also Railway Cup medal with Munster the same year.
He won 9 Co. Senior hurling medals with Boherlahan Dualla, including 4 in a row between 1915 and 1918. Leahy also took part in the War of Independence in Tipperary. The GAA Grounds at Cashel, Leahy Park, are also named in his honour.
Following his retirement from playing Leahy became involved in the coaching and administrative affairs of the GAA. He served as Co. Chairman for 2 years, 1925 & 1926, and Co. Secretary from 1927 until 1947.
Johnny Leahy passes to his eternal reward on 19 November 1949, aged 58 years.
