Joyful Johnny Casey savours a sweet success for the Longford hurlers

2026 is the year that Sean Browne’s record of being the all-time capped Longford Senior hurling player with one hundred and thirty-eight appearances has finally been overtaken as Johnny Casey made his one hundred and forty-fifth appearance on Sunday as he along with his team- mates walked up the steps of Croke Park to collect the Lory Meagher Cup.

Johnny expressed his joy and also his gratitude for his family and the families of all the players.

“It feels brilliant to be part of a Lory Meagher Cup success again. We got promoted in the league, which was a super achievement, but to win the Championship at Croke Park is even more precious.

“When we won it in 2014, we thought we could win more titles, but it has been a long road since then, especially with it taking us so long to get back up to the Rackard Cup, but now we are back there again and it is an incredible feeling.

“Today was a tough battle against Leitrim, but we came out all guns blazing in the second half and managed to get over the line. The supporters, our families, and our friends have been following us through thick and thin, so today is for them as much as it is for us.

“We owe a lot to our families and it was great to have my wife, my children, my mother and all my extended family there today, because it is a huge commitment for them as well as for us.

“We trained three or four nights a week, you have the matches and then the recovery time on top as well, so the families of all the players deserve a lot of credit for our success today.

“We put in as much effort and commitment as players in the Liam McCarthy and the Joe McDonagh do and I don’t think that a lot of people realise that.”

Johnny then went on to praise the younger players on the panel.

“The best thing about this group though is the blend with a good mix of older guys and the large number of younger guys coming through and this year we had thirty-three players which is the biggest panel for a very long time and Diarmuid has emphasised the importance of all thirty-three players on the panel.

“It is very difficult for him, Tommy, and Brian to pick a match day squad of twenty-six, never mind the starting fifteen. The depth of the squad has pushed everyone to their limits and that has been a very important part of our success this year and today.

“Finally, I have to commend the support we got not only in Croke Park but also in Edgeworthstown, Ballinalee and Longford. I also would like to wish John O’Brien and his minor team the best of luck in their final in Abbotstown next Saturday.”