Longford's John Casey pictured with the Lory Meagher Cup at Croke Park. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Johnny Casey’s passion for Longford hurling endures.
Part of the Longford panel since 2007, Casey remains eager to make an impact for the midlands county, who are away to Lancashire in the Lory Meagher Cup on Saturday.
During the decade and a half hurling for Longford many lessons have been learned, especially that anything can happen in the Lory Meagher Cup.
“If you look at the results of the league games, they were all very close,” Casey says about the Allianz Hurling League Division 3B campaign.
“There is only the puck of a ball between the teams. It is probably one of the most exciting competitions to be in. There is only a puck of the ball between all of the teams.
“Five or six of the teams are gunning for it, we are just looking forward to getting started. Hopefully we will be back at Croke Park for the final.”
Similar to other counties Longford have to deal with various challenges, but there is a desire to improve.
“We have only three senior clubs now at the minute - 60 odd players in the county play senior hurling,” Casey explains. “There is a massive grá in Longford from those involved, but it is very small. It is a good thing.
"That isn't a negative thing because we are such a family. We are such a tight group, it is great to have that.
“We have 25 or 26 on the senior panel, every one of them is fighting for a place. We aren't just bringing a lad in for the sake of it, everybody is there fighting. Everybody loves Longford hurling and hurling is for the warriors. That is what we are in Longford.”
Longford senior hurler Johnny Casey. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Players want to contribute, to provide assistance for the next generation. “We have lots of lads coaching at underage, they are playing senior too,” Casey adds.
“It is great. I love it myself. I wouldn't be at it as long as I am - I started in 2007 with Longford at senior inter-county - I'm a senior member now, but I don't feel it.
“Now it is great to bring younger lads in and we do have a lot of younger lads in. They are playing a massive part now, driving us, fighting for positions. That is brilliant.”
In recent years new competitions have helped emerging hurlers so Casey is encouraged. “The Táin leagues - it is all about games,” he replies.
“It is all about fighting for trophies, but the most important thing is enjoyment. I know Martin Fogarty brought an underage structure in for the likes of ourselves, travelling to Leitrim, Cavan, and Fermanagh to get games. That is what it is all about.
“You meet friends on the journey, we all have the same passion - that is hurling. We absolutely love it, you go anywhere around Ireland like Kilkenny, it is the same.
“We all love it so it is brilliant that there are more competitions for younger lads. There wasn't many when I was growing up. Now they have cemented that and games are what you need to improve.”
Casey’s appreciation for Longford and sport matters deeply. “I love it more and more,” he says. “It probably gets harder on the body, but getting the pre-season in, and it is all about mentality. It is a 16th season, I went through a lot of battles, I've seen a lot of things happen.
“I'm just holding a number for somebody else and it is great to bring the young lads along with me. I'm captain this year, probably a small bit of an extra burden there, but it is great to be playing. You have a love for the game, a love for the county.”
That will never wane.
