Sam Maguire Cup goes missing (three times)

Its one of the most famous trophies in Irish sport and tomorrow evening (Sunday) it will be resting in the Hills of Donegal or the Kingdom of Kerry. Either Murphy or Clifford will make their mark.

But did you know that this most coveted prize went missing on three occasions in nine years between 1962 and 1971.

In December 1971 it was announced that the cup was missing in the home of first time champions, Offaly.  The Irish Independent reported:

THE SAM MAGUIRE Cup was found in the yard of Hayes' Hotel, Tullamore, after it disappeared from the hotel yesterday. It was undamaged and no charges have been laid by the Gardai. Gardai were convinced that the disappearance of the huge silver cup was prank. Nevertheless, the top G.A.A. officials in  Co. Offaly, which won the trophy for the first time this year, were" worried .

It was discovered missing at a function organised by Durrow G:A.A. Club shortly after revellers had been swigging champagne and brandy from it. It had been taken to the hotel by the Secretary of Offaly Co. Board, Mr. John Dowling. After it was discovered it was missing, gardai were called in and made a "thorough search of the hotel and grounds without success. Three years ago the Cup disappeared during celebrations in Trim, Co. Meath, and was later recovered.

Nine years earlier the Cup was temporarily ‘kidnapped’ from County Down. The Irish Press reported:

The Sam Maguire Cup, taken by Queen's University (Belfast) Rag Day students from a house near Newry on Monday and smuggled to Belfast, was returned to G.A.A. custody last night by other students who were working a " double-cross." News that the cup had been found was phoned to Padraig O Caoimh, general secretary, G.A.A., Dublin. The cup had been brought to a flat in Belfast, while the " kidnappers" demanded £25 ransom for its return. But there was nothing doing. Mr. Maurice Hayes, secretary, Down G.A.A., said: " The trophy belongs to the All-Ireland champions, Down, so why should they pay to have it back '. While one group of students thought that the cup was under lock and key in Belfast, another group took to the house of Padraig MacNamee, G.A.A. trustee and former president, at My Lady's Mile, Hollywood, Co. Down. Mrs. MacNamee said that after she had received a telephone call, three students arrived with the cup and said they had got it "in a roundabout way." In the circumstances, said Mrs. MacNamee, not many questions were asked…

Hopefully it doesn’t go missing before the presentation by Jarlath Burns tomorrow.

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )