Gerard Smith (Gaelic footballer)

Gerard Smith

Personal information
Irish name	Gearóid Mac Gabhann
Sport	Gaelic Football
Position	Wing Back/Wing Forward
Born	1994 (age 28–29)
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Occupation	Accountant
Club(s)
Years	Club
	Lavey
Inter-county(ies)
Years	County
2016–	Cavan
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles	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

• Ulster Senior Football Championship (1): 2020
• National Football League Division 4 (1): 2022
• Ulster Under-21 Football Championship (2): 2013, 2014
• Ulster Minor Football Championship (1): 2011

Individual

• Tailteann Cup Team of the Year (1): 2022
• Irish News Ulster All-Star (1): 2020

References

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