Jim Troy (hurler)

James "Jim" Troy (born 11 April 1960) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a goalkeeper for the Offaly senior hurling team.

Troy made his first appearance for the team during the 1981-82 National League and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement after the 1994 championship. During that time he won two All-Ireland medals, four Leinster medals and one National Hurling League medal.

At club level Horan is a one-time county club championship medalist with Lusmagh.

His brother, John, is also an All-Ireland medalist with Offaly.

Playing career

Club

Troy played his club hurling with Lusmagh and enjoyed some success.

In 1989 he was captain of the Lusmagh senior hurling team that reached the final of the club championship. Seir Kieran provided the opposition, however, Lusmagh claimed a narrow 1-11 to 1-10 victory.^[1] The win gave Troy a coveted championship medal.

Inter-county

Troy made his senior debut for Offaly in a National League game against Galway in 1981 before later becoming the team's first-choice goalkeeper for the 1982 championship.

Damien Martin regained his place as goalkeeper for the next two seasons, however, Troy returned as number one for the 1985 championship. He won his first Leinster medal that year following a 5-15 to 0-17 trouncing of Laois. Galway provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final and a tense game ensued. Once again it was Offaly’s goal-scoring ability that proved crucial. Pat Cleary scored the first of the day after twenty-five minutes of play and got his second less than half a minute after the restart. Joe Dooley had a goal disallowed halfway through the second-half while a long Joe Cooney effort, which seemed to cross the goal line, was not given. P.J. Molloy was Galway’s goal scorer, however, the day belonged to Offaly. A 2-11 to 1-12 victory gave Troy his first All-Ireland medal.^[2]

After back-to-back Leinster final defeats for the next two years, Offaly emerged as provincial kingpins in 1988 following a 3-12 to 1-14 defeat of Wexford. It was Troy's second Leinster medal.

In 1989 Troy added a third Leinster medal to his collection following a 3-15 to 4-9 defeat of Kilkenny. Antrim subsequently pulled off the hurling shock of the century with a 4-15 to 1-15 defeat of Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final.^[3]

Troy was appointed Offaly captain in 1989 as the team once again dominated the provincial championship. A 1-19 to 2-11 defeat of Dublin gave Troy his fourth Leinster medal as Offaly completed their first and only hat-trick of provincial titles. He also had the honour of lifting the Bob O'Keeffe Cup. Offaly subsequently faced a third All-Ireland semi-final defeat.

The success continued in 1991 with Troy collecting a National League medal following a 2-6 to 0-10 defeat of Wexford.

In 1994 Troy missed Offaly's Leinster final triumph over Wexford, however, he was reinstated as custodian for the subsequent All-Ireland final against Limerick.^[4] With five minutes left in the game Limerick were five points ahead and were coasting to victory. It was then that one of the most explosive All-Ireland final finishes of all-time took place. Offaly were awarded a close-in free which Johnny Dooley stepped up to take. Dooley was told by the management team to take a point; however, he lashed the ball into the Limerick net to reduce the deficit. Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball up the field and Pat O'Connor struck for a second goal. The Offaly forwards scored another five unanswered points in the time remaining to secure a 3-16 to 2-13 victory. This sensational victory gave Troy a second All-Ireland medal.

Troy called time on his inter-county hurling career following this victory.

Inter-provincial

Troy also lined out with Leinster in the inter-provincial series of games and enjoyed much success.

He won his first Railway Cup medal in 1988 as Leinster defeated Connacht by 2-14 to 1-12.

Five years later in 1993 Troy was between the sticks for Leinster once again. A 1-15 to 2-6 defeat of Ulster secured a second Railway Cup medal for Troy.

Honours

Team

Lusmagh

• Offaly Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1989

Offaly

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1985, 1994
• Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (4): 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990
• National Hurling League (1): 1990-91

Leinster

• Railway Cup (2): 1988, 1993

References