Yellow card for Sam Maguire’s scorekeeper

THOSE who visit the excellent sculpture of Sam Maguire in Dunmanway, Co Cork, should remember that everything written in stone is not necessarily true.

I was approached recently by a reader of my book Sam Maguire - the Enigmatic Man Behind Ireland’s Most Prestigious Trophy.

This avid reader of historical tomes informed me: “You know you have the wrong date of birth in the book.”

I replied that I had the correct date.

“Well,” says he, “it’s written in stone over on the statue in Dunmanway that he was born in 1879.”

I replied that I was provided with the correct information by the registrar in Skibbereen.

Sam Maguire was born on 11/03/1877. All of my research is documented.

The important thing to remember is that Sam Maguire was honoured in his home town with a superb sculpture - the date of birth is of secondary importance. Still, for the sake of accuracy, his birth date is 1877, not 1879.

Margaret Walsh

Kenneigh

Ballineen

Co Cork