WARRINGTON GAA Gaelic sports team (Na Mic Tíre) were delighted to recently host the Sam Maguire Cup at the town’s Irish Club – the Challenge Cup/FA Cup of the Gaelic Football world.
The Sam Maguire Cup (Chorn Sam Mhic Uidhir), often referred to as Sam or The Sam, is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to the team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the main competition in the sport of Gaelic football.
Currently residing in Parnell Park (Home of Dublin GAA and winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2023), the Sam Maguire Cup only had a short trip to make to the North West, but had taken a great deal of planning for it to make the journey from Ireland to England.
Warrington GAA chairman Martin Lonergan coordinated the event, and it is thanks to his belief and dedication that the club was able to facilitate the visit, in conjunction with his home club of St. Peregrin’s GAA, Dublin. Martin said of the event “It was an amazing honour for the club and all followers of Gaelic Games, to have the Sam Maguire Cup in Warrington and other areas in the northwest; it brought joy to many, and was seen by over 2000 people in its short visit.”
Chaperoned by David McEneaney, Club Secretary of St. Peregrine’s GAA and Anthony Cahill, both lifelong Dublin GAA Fans, the cup travelled to several locations over the course of the weekend. David McEneaney thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, “To see so many people queuing to get a photo with one of the most iconic trophies in Irish culture was mind-blowing. From the outset of our tour, you could see very clearly what this opportunity meant to so many. The buzz of excitement in each venue was amazing. Every county was represented and that person had a story to be shared, not just about football or Gaelic games in general but about them. The pride in their eyes as they spoke so fondly about Home, their parish, and their family was heartwarming. Go raibh míle maith agat do gach duine. Átha Cliath Abu.”
The cup arrived in Manchester and went straight to Kennedy’s Irish Bar in Altrincham, followed by Brian Boru in Ashton-in-Makerfield. It then spent the Saturday at Warrington Irish Club, where there was a great turnout, with many families taking the opportunity to wear their town and county colours alongside the cup. It then made its way to Liverpool Irish Centre, followed by Bia Cafe and Cassidy’s Bar, Manchester.
As a newly emerging GAA club within Warrington, this was a brilliant way to celebrate the sport of Gaelic Football, and as a result, the club have had a great deal of interest in those wanting to join both the men’s hurling and Gaelic football teams, as well as our growing Camogie team. Martin and the Na Mic Tíre committee would like to thank all of those involved in making the trip happen, and to all of the host venues for their support and hospitality.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2022/3 season, where the Football team made the semi-finals of the Lancashire Junior B Championship, the club are looking to expand; if you would like to join Warrington GAA, for either sport, please see the Warrington GAA (Na Mic Tíre) Facebook page. Anyone interested in Management and coaching roles is also encouraged to get in touch.
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Pictures show – Dave Delaney-Segar and his son Tadgh, both wearing their Warrington GAA shirts, Warrington GAA Chairman Martin Lonergan (left) and the Stack children, who hail from County Mayo.
