Hurlers come agonisingly close after brilliant run
The 2025 season will forever be remembered as one of frustration and pride in equal measure for Cavan county hurling team. Frustration because they came agonisingly close to lifting the Lory Meagher Cup, only to run into a New York side that many felt should never have been allowed into the competition in the first place. Pride because, despite that crushing disappointment, Cavan produced one of the finest hurling campaigns the county has seen in years and established themselves as one of the standout teams in the grade.
Their National League campaign provided encouraging signs, but it was the Lory Meagher Cup where Ollie Bellew’s men truly came alive.
From the outset, Cavan looked like a side on a mission. Their opening championship outing against Warwickshire in Birmingham was an absolute demolition, winning 4-32 to 1-11. Liam O’Brien dictated matters throughout, while Nicky Kenny, Eamonn Óg McAllister and Keating caused havoc in attack.
Monaghan arrived in Breffni next carrying momentum of their own, but Cavan quickly imposed themselves. Goals from Keating and Kenny inside a devastating two-minute spell swung the contest decisively in their favour. Cavan ran out convincing 2-20 to 1-14 winners and suddenly belief was growing rapidly around the squad.
Lancashire provided another significant test and again Cavan passed it impressively. Kenny’s superbly-worked goal midway through the second half effectively sealed a 3-24 to 2-14 victory that underlined their attacking prowess.
The key game of the group campaign came away to Longford in Pearse Park. Cavan answered emphatically. After conceding an early goal, they exploded into life and completely overwhelmed Longford before half-time. Cavan won 3-29 to 3-17 and booked their place in the final with a game to spare. That achievement alone reflected the quality of the campaign.
What followed left a bitter taste.
New York arrived carrying huge inter-county experience and were clearly operating at a level above the competition. Cavan still gave them an almighty battle. Early scores from O’Brien, Canice Maher and Cillian Sheanon settled nerves before the game was turned by goals. New York’s finishing power created a gap but Cavan refused to wilt.
Instead, they produced one of the performances of the season after the break.
When Liam Mangan’s penalty pushed New York 11 points clear early in the second half, many expected the contest to collapse into a rout. Cavan responded magnificently. O’Brien thundered a free towards goal, Kenny buried the rebound and moments later O’Brien himself blasted home a penalty after Seán Keating was body-checked. Mulligan drove over another point as Cavan dominated the middle third and poured forward searching for the goal that would truly ignite the comeback.
They never quite found it. Time slipped away and New York eventually held on for a 4-17 to 2-17 victory.
The defeat hurt deeply because everyone involved knew how close Cavan had come. It also sharpened the widespread feeling that the GAA had made a serious mistake in allowing New York into the competition. Even Liam O’Brien, after being named Lory Meagher Player of the Year, openly stated how unfair he felt the situation had been.
Yet despite the heartbreak, this was still a magnificent season for Cavan hurling. They topped the group, thrilled supporters with attacking hurling and showed a level of quality and belief that suggests brighter days ahead.
For that reason alone, they are deserving nominees for Team of the Year.