Tipperary players star as New York hurlers qualify for Croke Park final showpiece!

Lory Meagher Cup Semi-Final

New York 1-29

Monaghan 2-13

There was a strong Tipperary flavour to New York’s historic Lory Meagher Cup semi-final win over Monaghan last weekend, with no fewer than three Premier County men playing key roles in a commanding performance at TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

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Portroe’s AJ Willis, Kiladangan’s Tom O’Meara, and Clerihan native Cian Mullane all featured prominently for the Exiles, who now advance to a Croke Park final against Cavan. The match was officiated by Tipperary referee Alan Tierney, adding even more Premier interest to the occasion.

In just their first year competing in the Lory Meagher Cup, New York have stormed into the final, inspired by clinical forward play and a dominant second half.

Willis, a constant thorn in Monaghan’s side, finished with 1-8 including a decisive first-half goal, while O’Meara and Mullane also got on the scoresheet with a point apiece.

David Mangan top-scored with 0-11, while big names like Galway All-Ireland winner Johnny Glynn and former Cork hurler Seán O’Leary Hayes added further experience to a well-drilled New York side.

After a close opening quarter, it was Willis who broke the game open on 22 minutes when he was released by Dara Walsh and rifled home the game's only goal. The Premier trio helped New York build a 1-11 to 0-6 halftime lead.

Playing against the breeze after the break, Monaghan had hoped for a revival, but New York stepped it up another gear, hitting nine unanswered points. Alongside the scoring exploits of Willis and Mangan, Glynn, McPartland, and Mullane also chipped in.

Monaghan fought back with goals from Shane Slevin, but New York's firepower proved too much, racking up a 30-point tally by full-time.

The win now sets up a dream trip to Croke Park for the Tipperary trio and their teammates, as they prepare to take on Cavan in the Lory Meagher Cup final next Saturday.

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New York Scorers: AJ Willis (Portroe) 1-8, David Mangan 0-11 (8f), Adam Loughlin-Stones 0-3, Johnny Glynn 0-2, Darragh Moran 0-1, Tom O'Meara (Kiladangan) 0-1, Gerard McPartland 0-1, Cian Mullane (Clerihan) 0-1, Éanna Barry 0-1.

New York: Daniel Mottram; Éanna Barry, Henry Keyes, James Cronin-Rodgers; Darren O’Donoghue, Darragh Moran, Seán O’Leary-Hayes; Tom O’Meara, Dara Walsh; Johnny Glynn, David Mangan, AJ Willis; Gerard McPartland, Adam Loughlin-Stones, Cian Mullane.

Subs used: James Bermingham for Mullane, Conor O’Shea for Walsh (both 47) Darragh Hynes for Moran (49); James Breen for O’Meara (58); Tomás O’Connor for Loughlin-Stones (65).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers)