FROM CORK GAA: Today, on the Sunday before the All-Ireland Senior Football Final, Doheny’s GAA Club held their annual commemoration of the late Sam Maguire, native of Dunmanway.
The event took the form of a service at the local Church of Ireland, St. Mary’s, followed by the laying of a wreath at Sam Maguire’s grave in the churchyard by County PRO Tracey Kennedy.
Sam Maguire’s extensive work for the GAA in London, both as a player and as an administrator, led to his former colleagues collecting money to purchase the Sam Maguire Cup, which is presented each year to the winners of the All-Ireland Football Final. There is no doubt that for these roles alone, he deserves the huge honour of having the most important football trophy in the GAA world named in his memory.
However, along with captaining London Hibernians to a number of All-Ireland Finals, and becoming Chairman of the London County Board, Sam Maguire also played an important role in the foundation of our state, which is detailed so well on the Doheny GAA website, www.dohenygaa.com. He worked with Michael Collins, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General of the I.R.B. and Director of Intelligence in Britain. His illness and death at the age of just 48 certainly robbed our state and our Association of a great man.
Despite all his achievements, Sam Maguire died in poverty and obscurity at his farm outside Dunmanway, and if it wasn’t for the local people and his GAA colleagues in Dublin and London, his name might never have been heard again. He is now commemorated not only by the beautiful cup that bears his name, but also by the Doheny GAA ground, Sam Maguire Park, and by the juvenile club in Dunmanway that plays under his name.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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