The Lory Meagher Cup (Irish: Corn Labhraí Uí Mheachair;[1] often referred to as the Meagher Cup) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. The cup forms the fifth-tier of Hurling for senior county teams (the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the first-tier trophy). It is contested by the six county teams ranked 30–35 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. Each year, the champions of the Lory Meagher Cup are promoted to the Nicky Rackard Cup. The competition is named in honour of former Kilkenny hurler Lory Meagher who many regard as one of the greatest hurlers of all time.
The Lory Meagher Cup, which was introduced for the 2009 season, provides a meaningful championship for fifth tier teams deemed "too weak" for the fourth tier Nicky Rackard Cup.
The title has been won by 9 different counties, 5 of whom have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Fermanagh and Louth, who have won the cup on 3 occasions. Fermanagh are the title holders, defeating Longford by 3-17 to 0-22 in the 2024 final.
History
Creation
Following the success of the Christy Ring Cup and Nicky Rackard Cup for the lower tier hurling teams, it was decided in 2008 to investigate the possibility of introducing a fourth tier. The Hurling Development Committee (HDC) proposed the new four-tier structure in place of the existing three-tier model. It, and the second and third-tier competitions, were to consist of eight teams.[2] The proposals were accepted at a special GAA Congress in October 2008.[3] Another second tier competition, the Joe McDonagh Cup, was added in 2018, moving the Lory Meagher Cup down into tier 5.[4]
Development
Team changes
12 county teams have participated in at least one edition of the Lory Meagher Cup. Fermanagh and Leitrim have participated in the most editions. South Down, although not an official county entered a team the first 3 seasons of the Cup but withdrew after 2011. Monaghan became the most recent county to make their debut in the Cup in 2021.
In 2009 a double elimination format was introduced, thus guaranteeing each team at least two games before being eliminated from the competition.
Group stage (2013–present)
Since 2013, a group stage has been included in the cup. The teams within the group stage has varied between 3 and 6 teams throughout the years.
Lory Meagher Cup moments
Warwickshire 2-16 - 0-10 Longford (8 June 2013): Warwickshire became the first and only overseas team to win the Lory Meagher Cup.
Leitrim 2-23 - 2-22 Lancashire (22 June 2019): Leitrim won their first ever All-Ireland title, defeating Lancashire after extra time in Croke Park.
Format
Group stage
Group stage: There are six teams in the Cup. During the course of a season (from May to June) each team plays the others once (a single round-robin system) for a total of five games. Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points. The top two teams in the group contest the Lory Meagher Cup final. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth-placed teams are eliminated from the championship.
Tie-breakers
In the event of teams finishing on equal points, the tie shall be decided by the following means (in the order specified):[5]
Where two teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two teams
Score difference – subtracting the total "Scores Against" from the total "Scores For"
Highest Total "Score For"
Highest Total "Goals For"
A Play-Off
Knockout stage
Final: The top two teams in the group stage contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.
The Lory Meagher has no direct entry route to compete in that year's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
Promotion
At the end of the championship, the winning team is promoted to the Nicky Rackard Cup for the following season.
Relegation
There is no relegation from the Lory Meagher Cup as it is the bottom of five tiers in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
The number of years that each county has played in the Lory Meagher Cup between 2009 and 2025. A total of 13 counties have competed in at least one season of the Lory Meagher Cup. Leitrim have participated in the most championships. The counties in bold participate in the 2025 Lory Meagher Cup.
Leitrim and Warwickshire have the record number of consecutive participations in the Lory Meagher Cup, taking part in 9 seasons.
Winning other trophies
Although not an officially recognised achievement, no team have ever achieved the distinction of winning the Lory Meagher Cup and their respective Division in the National Hurling League.
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