Sam Maguire Cup

Only 6 men had the honour of being presented with the trophy twice;

Joe Barret (Kerry), Jim Murray (Roscommon), John Joe Reilly (Cavan), Sean Flanagan (Mayo), Enda Colleran (Galway) and Tony Hanhoe (Dublin).

The trophy was designed to look like a giant Ardagh Chalice and was made in Dublin by the Hopkins & Hopkins company. After years of wear and tear the trophy was replaced by a replica in 1988.

The cup was first awarded to Kildare back in 1928 when they beat Cavan in the All-Ireland football final.

The cup is named in honour of Sam Maguire who was born in Dunmanway in 1879. At the age of 20 he went to London where he became involved in the GAA and did great work promoting the games in England.

In 1921 he returned to Cork where he died of TB in 1927, aged 48. At that time a group of his friends raised £300 and presented a cup to the GAA that football teams have played forever since.

Schools give rousing reception

The cavalcade then headed for Bellurgan were Mr Rocks reiterated the sentiment expressed by Mr Malone in Lordship.

Dulargy was next stop where the children and teachers packed into the community centre.
Jim Darcy welcomed the players and spoke of his delight for the club.
He also hailed Jim Burns who was present as a great centre half who marked Louth stalwart Frank Lynch back in the early days.
Miss Mac Dermott kept order appropriately by use of a referee’s whistle.

The next stop was Mullaghbouy NS where Mr Murphy welcomed them and the accompanied Joe Ward.
In the four schools all the kids were decked out in their green and white.
The chants and horns rang through from classroom to classroom and the prospect of no homework was more appetising than sweets for some of the children.
The players obliged by signing autographs.
The theme from the four headmasters was that some day one of their respective pupils could emulate Pats captain Darren Kirwin.

Last stop of the day was Bush secondary school where Mr O Brien and Mr Conroy addressed the large gathering.
Mr Conroy spoke of the contribution by both Clubs St Patricks and Cooley Kickhams to daily life in the peninsula.
He thanked both clubs for their players who play on the school teams.
He said the goal of the school team this year was to achieve All Ireland B success.
Padraig O’ Connor spoke on behalf of the Club of the keen rivalry that exists between both teams.
He also stated that this rivalry was not unique but existed in every county in Ireland.
Darren Kirwin captain said that last Sunday’s game was a spectacle and said that this can only drive the two clubs forward.

Limericks

Nickname The Wee County Colours Red & White County Grounds O'Rahillys Ground - Drogheda Capacity 7,500 Star Players Paddy Keenan Paudie Mallon Ray Finnegan Sean Connor Honours 3 All - Ireland Senior Football Titles All Time Great Stephen White