Samuel "Sam" Maguire (1877 – 6 February 1927), an Irish republican and Gaelic footballer, is chiefly remembered as the eponym of the Sam Maguire Cup, given to the All-Ireland Senior Champions of Gaelic football.
He was born in Mallabraca near the town of Dunmanway in West Cork on March 12, 1877
He went to school in the Model School in the local town Dunmanway and then to the national school in Ardfield.This school run by Master Madden specialised in preparing its pupils for the UK Civil Service and Post Office examinations. Madden was part of a long tradition of Irish nationalism and he had a field next to the school where pupils could play Gaelic football. The school was very successful and became known as the "University of the Mountains" because the place name Ardfield can be literally translated as the "place on the high ground". At the age of 20, Maguire passed the exams for the UK Post Office
He then took a job in the British Civil Service in London. Maguire joined and captained the successful London Hibernians Gaelic football team to several All-Ireland finals between 1900 and 1904.
In 1907 he went into the administration of the London GAA, becoming the Chairman of the London County Board and a regular delegate to the Annual Congress of the GAA. He later became a trustee of Croke Park. Coincidentally, Vice-Chairman of the London County Board was Liam MacCarthy who gave his name to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Cup.
He is also remembered in the political sphere for recruiting the nationalist leader Michael Collins to the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1909 and for many years was one of Collins right hand men. As Collins's chief intelligence officer in London, Maguire became the centre of Scotland Yard's investigation into the assassination of Sir Henry Wilson. Maguire was tipped off and fled to Dublin in December 1923 where he got a job in the newly established Irish civil service. Because of his political opinions and his sympathies to the Anti-Treaty forces, he quickly clashed with his superiors and was dismissed.
He is buried in the cemetery of Saint Mary's in Dunmanway. A Celtic cross was raised over his grave with a simple inscription
Erected to the memory of Samuel Maguire, Mallabraca who died 6th February 1927 by the people of Dunmanway and his numerous friends throughout Ireland and England in recognition of his love for his country.
Dunmanway's Dohenys GAA club named their home pitch Sam Maguire Park in his honour, and the club's under-age teams joined with the Randal Og Club compete under the moniker "Sam Maguires". On 15 September 2002, a statue of Sam Maguire was unveiled as the centrepiece of a new €500,000 plaza in Dunmanway's town centre. Sam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup was designed and presented to the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1928 in his honour after his death in 1927. The cup cost £300 in 1928 (equivalent to €26,395 now). After it had been commissioned by the committee under the chairmanship of Dr Pat McCartan, the task of making the cup was given to Hopkins and Hopkins, a jewellers and watchmakers, of O'Connell Bridge, Dublin.
The silver cup was crafted, on behalf of Hopkins and Hopkins, by the silversmith Matthew J. Staunton of D'Olier Street, Dublin.
Kildare was the first county to win the Sam Maguire cup after defeating Cavan 2–6 to 2–5 in 1928. The cup was replaced in 1988, Meath being the first recipient of "Sam Óg" after a defeat of Cork.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Mayo have been trying to win this since 1951 when the then winning team were supposedly cursed as the did not acknowledge a funeral, the curse being that the county would not win again as long as any of that team is still living, 2 of them are. Some people dismiss this curse as rubbish but recent ahem events are throwing doubt on this dismissal
In 2022? Kerry.Tyrone.I think Dublin will win Leinster and will be there or there abouts.Mayo? Will be around also.hard to believe its 1951 since they last won.no disrespect Cavan up here in Ulster won it in 1952 and there is more chance of them winning Sam in the future than Mayo.all those finals Mayo got to in the last 20 years.Tyrone really came from no where last year and won.kerry seem to have no answer when they play Tyrone.Armagh.Galway could be dark horses.even Donegal. Looks Kerry.But for me Tyrone will win and probably break Mayo heart s once again.
Lockdown2122: I don't think anyone would begrudge Mayo.its a long.long time since 1951.if Kerry don't win Sam.then Sam i believe will stay in Ulster. I have a feeling Dublin will also be there or there abouts .Limerick for the hurling.
It would be great for Mayo after all their heartbreak over the years to finally get Sam again but ? .If Kerry don't win Sam this year.Then Definitely Tyrone.,otherwise Donegal or Dublin. Again as I said Armagh or Galway.Limerick for the Hurling.
Oh I also thought Tyrone getting 4 players sent off very unfair.no disrespect to Armagh who had 1 sent off in a recent national league game.we had a good win over Tyrone last night but hi I think we were lucky. The summer will be different and Armagh coming to Ballybofey will not fear us.but that's for again.anyway 2022.Tyrone.Mayo.Dublin.Kerry.all provincial winners.then add us Donegal. Armagh.Galway.one of these will take Sam.But I just can't see Mayo.I really hope I am wrong.
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Really? I thought you were just trying to manipulate me with compliments