John Lyons (hurler)
Encyclopedia
John Lyons was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with the famous Glen Rovers
club and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1960.
with the famous Glen Rovers
club on the north side of Cork city and enjoyed much success. He won his first two senior county titles
in 1944 and 1945. Lyons won eight more county medals in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959 and 1960.
After a period in the hurling wilderness the Cork team bounced back in 1952 with Lyons securing a first Munster
winners' medal following a defeat of three-in-a-row All-Ireland champions Tipperary
in the provincial decider. Dublin
provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final, however 'the Dubs' were completely outclassed by Cork on that occasion. In spite of only leading by three points at half-time Cork won by 2-14 to 0-7 and O'Riordan finally picked up a second All-Ireland winners' medal.
1953 began well for Cork with Lyons collecting a National Hurling League
title after a defeat of Tipperary. The success continued later on that summer as Lyons added a second Munster title to his collection after Tipperary were accounted for in the provincial final. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Galway
take on Cork, however, 'the Rebels' were victorious by 3-3 to 0-8 and Lyons added a third All-Ireland medal to his collection. The game has gone down in history as one of the dirtiest All-Ireland deciders ever. The game, however, was clouded in controversy due to the injury to the Galway captain, Mick Burke
. After the match at the Gresham Hotel
in Dublin a fight broke out when another Galway player struck Ring. The following morning another fight broke out when another member of the Galway panel attempted to hit Ring. The fights, however, ended just as quickly as they had started.
In 1954 Lyons was still a key member of the full-back line as Cork set out on their three-in-a-row trail. Tipperary fell to Cork by 2-8 to 1-8 in the provincial final, giving Lyons a third consecutive Munster winners' medal. A third consecutive All-Ireland final appearance beckoned for the Cork man, with Wexford
providing the opposition. A record attendance of nearly 85,000 people packed into Croke Park
to witness the Munster champions defeating the Leinster champions by 1-9 to 1-6. While Christy Ring captured a record-breaking eighth All-Ireland medal, Lyons picked up a third winners' momento.
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1955; however, in 1956 Cork reached the Munster final once again. Limerick
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Cork recorded a 5-5 to 3-5 victory. It was Lyons's fourth Munster winners' medal on the field of play. Cork later lined out in the All-Ireland final with Wexford
providing the opposition. The game has gone down in history as one of the all-time classic games as Christy Ring
was bidding for a record ninth All-Ireland medal. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliotar up the field to set up another attack. Wexford went on to win the game on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8 and Lyons was left with a runners-up medal.
In 1957 Cork reached the Munster final again; however, they were defeated by Waterford
on a score line of 1-11 to 1-6. Lyons's side contested two consecutive provincial finals in 1959 and 1960, however, he ended up on the losing side on both occasions. He retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1954, however, Munster were defeated by Leinster
in the final of the competition. Lyons was included on the Munster team again in 1955. It was a more successful year as he picked up a Railway Cup winners' medal following a trouncing of Connacht
. Defeat followed again in 1956, however, the following year he helped Munster to a 5-7 to 2-5 victory over Leinster. He won a third and final Railway Cup winners' medal in 1958 as Munster accounted for Leinster once again.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the famous Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
club and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1960.
Club
Lyons played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the famous Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
club on the north side of Cork city and enjoyed much success. He won his first two senior county titles
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
in 1944 and 1945. Lyons won eight more county medals in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959 and 1960.
Inter-county
Lyons first came to prominence with the Cork senior hurling team in 1946. He made his debut on the team that year, however, he wa sunable to secure a regular place on the starting fifteen resulting in a slow start to his inter-county career.After a period in the hurling wilderness the Cork team bounced back in 1952 with Lyons securing a first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
winners' medal following a defeat of three-in-a-row All-Ireland champions Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
in the provincial decider. Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final, however 'the Dubs' were completely outclassed by Cork on that occasion. In spite of only leading by three points at half-time Cork won by 2-14 to 0-7 and O'Riordan finally picked up a second All-Ireland winners' medal.
1953 began well for Cork with Lyons collecting a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title after a defeat of Tipperary. The success continued later on that summer as Lyons added a second Munster title to his collection after Tipperary were accounted for in the provincial final. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
take on Cork, however, 'the Rebels' were victorious by 3-3 to 0-8 and Lyons added a third All-Ireland medal to his collection. The game has gone down in history as one of the dirtiest All-Ireland deciders ever. The game, however, was clouded in controversy due to the injury to the Galway captain, Mick Burke
Mick Burke
Michael "Mick" Burke is an English former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He represented both England and Great Britain whilst playing club football for Widnes....
. After the match at the Gresham Hotel
Gresham Hotel
The Gresham Hotel is a hotel in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Located on O'Connell Street, the hotel is a Dublin institution. This landmark building has recently been refurbished.-History:...
in Dublin a fight broke out when another Galway player struck Ring. The following morning another fight broke out when another member of the Galway panel attempted to hit Ring. The fights, however, ended just as quickly as they had started.
In 1954 Lyons was still a key member of the full-back line as Cork set out on their three-in-a-row trail. Tipperary fell to Cork by 2-8 to 1-8 in the provincial final, giving Lyons a third consecutive Munster winners' medal. A third consecutive All-Ireland final appearance beckoned for the Cork man, with Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
providing the opposition. A record attendance of nearly 85,000 people packed into Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
to witness the Munster champions defeating the Leinster champions by 1-9 to 1-6. While Christy Ring captured a record-breaking eighth All-Ireland medal, Lyons picked up a third winners' momento.
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1955; however, in 1956 Cork reached the Munster final once again. Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Cork recorded a 5-5 to 3-5 victory. It was Lyons's fourth Munster winners' medal on the field of play. Cork later lined out in the All-Ireland final with Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
providing the opposition. The game has gone down in history as one of the all-time classic games as Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
was bidding for a record ninth All-Ireland medal. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
Art Foley
Michael Arthur Foley , better known as Art Foley, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Aidan's of Enniscorthy and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1956.-Club:...
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliotar up the field to set up another attack. Wexford went on to win the game on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8 and Lyons was left with a runners-up medal.
In 1957 Cork reached the Munster final again; however, they were defeated by Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
on a score line of 1-11 to 1-6. Lyons's side contested two consecutive provincial finals in 1959 and 1960, however, he ended up on the losing side on both occasions. He retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Inter-provincial
Lyons also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1954, however, Munster were defeated by Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the final of the competition. Lyons was included on the Munster team again in 1955. It was a more successful year as he picked up a Railway Cup winners' medal following a trouncing of Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
. Defeat followed again in 1956, however, the following year he helped Munster to a 5-7 to 2-5 victory over Leinster. He won a third and final Railway Cup winners' medal in 1958 as Munster accounted for Leinster once again.
Glen Rovers/St. Nicholas
- Cork Senior Hurling ChampionshipCork Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
:- Winner (10): 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950 (c), 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959 (c), 1960
- Runner-up (1): 1946, 1951, 1955, 1956
- Cork Senior Football Championship:
- Winner (1): 1954
- Runner-up (3): 1947, 1950, 1951
Cork
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
:- Winner (4): 1946 (sub), 1952, 1953, 1954
- Runner-up (1): 1956
- Munster Senior Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
:- Winner (5): 1946 (sub), 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956
- Runner-up (1): 1950, 1951
- National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
:- Winner (1): 1953