Gerard Smith (Gaelic footballer) explained

Gerard Smith
Irish:Gearóid Mac Gabhann
Sport:Gaelic Football
Icposition:Wing Back/Wing Forward
Feet:6
Inches:1
Occupation:Accountant
Clubs:Lavey
Code:Football
County:Cavan
Province:Ulster
Icyears:2016–
Counties:Cavan
Icprovince:1

Gerard Smith (born 1994) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Lavey and the Cavan county team.

Playing career

Club

Smith has played with Lavey from underage level. He has yet to win a championship medal at senior level.

Inter-county

Minor and U-21

On 17 July 2011, Smith lined out for the Cavan minor team in the Ulster final against Armagh. Smith scored a point in the 0–12 to 1–6 victory.[1] He joined the county Under-21 team in 2013. On 10 April, Smith lined out at wing forward in the Ulster Final against Donegal. Smith scored two points in the 0–13 to 1–6 win.[2] On 20 April, Smith played in the All-Ireland semi-final against Cork, where Cavan suffered a one-point defeat.[3]

On 9 April 2014, Cavan were in the Ulster Final again, and once again faced Donegal. A 2–6 to 0–8 win gave Smith his second Under-21 Championship.[4] On 19 April, Smith played in defence as Cavan controversially lost the All-Ireland semi-final to eventual winners Dublin.[5] On 18 March 2015, Smith's underage career with Cavan came to an end with defeat to Donegal in the first round.[6]

Senior

Smith joined the senior squad in 2016. On 29 May 2016, he made his championship debut as a substitute in an Ulster championship win over Armagh.[7] On 5 February 2017, he scored two points in his National League debut, a loss to All-Ireland champions Dublin.[8]

On 23 June 2019, Smith started in the Ulster Final as Cavan faced Donegal, with Cavan falling to a five-point defeat.[9] On 22 November 2020, Cavan met Donegal in the Ulster Final for the second year in a row. Smith scored a point as Cavan stunned Donegal to win their first Ulster title since 1997.[10] On 5 December, Smith started the All-Ireland semi-final loss to Dublin.[11] Smith was nominated for an All-Star award for the first time at the end of the season.[12]

On 2 April 2022, Smith was in the half-back line as Cavan faced Tipperary in the National League Division 4 final at Croke Park. Cavan were winners on a 2–10 to 0-15 scoreline.[13] On 9 July, Smith started Tailteann Cup final against Westmeath, scoring three points in the four-point loss.[14] At the end of the season, Smith was named on the Tailteann Cup Team of the Year.[15]

Honours

Cavan

Individual

Notes and References

  1. News: Ulster MFC: Cavan stun Armagh to end 37-year wait. 17 July 2011. Hogan Stand. 12 May 2022.
  2. News: Cavan complete Ulster U21 football 3-in-a-row. 10 April 2013. The42.ie. 21 January 2021.
  3. News: Cork deny Cavan at the death to book U21 final place. 20 April 2013. The42.ie. 21 January 2021.
  4. News: Cavan seal a fourth successive Ulster U21 football title as they see off Donegal. 9 April 2014. The42.ie. 21 January 2021.
  5. News: McHugh helps Dublin squeak past resolute Cavan and into All-Ireland final. 19 April 2014. The42.ie. 21 January 2021.
  6. News: Donegal deliver as Cavan stunned by McHugh's late goal. 19 March 2015. Irish Examiner. 21 January 2021.
  7. News: Cavan comfortably ease past Armagh challenge. 29 May 2016. RTÉ. 12 May 2022.
  8. News: Dublin cruise to win in front of big Cavan crowd. 5 February 2017. RTÉ. 12 May 2022.
  9. News: Clinical Donegal dispatch Cavan to go back-to-back in Ulster. 23 June 2019. The42.ie. 21 January 2021.
  10. News: Cavan shock Donegal to claim Ulster title. 22 November 2020. RTÉ. 21 January 2021.
  11. News: Dublin beat Cavan at a canter to reach another final. 5 December 2020. RTÉ. 21 January 2021.
  12. News: Dublin dominate football All Star nominations with 13. 15 January 2021. The Irish Times. 21 January 2021.
  13. News: Lynch brace crucial as Cavan pip Tipp to Croke Park glory. 2 April 2022. Irish Examiner. 2 April 2022.
  14. News: Westmeath crowned inaugural Tailteann Cup champions after late flurry against Cavan. 9 July 2022. The42.ie. 11 July 2022.
  15. News: Cavan take four spots on Tailteann Cup Team of the Year as champions Westmeath lead the way with six. 20 October 2022. The Irish News. 20 October 2022.