QUESTION: THE BEST SEND-OFF FOR A GREAT GAEL?

CUTHBERT Donnelly receives between 30 to 40 calls a day regarding the availability of Sam Maguire. Few of those are left disappointed by Donnelly, who has been guardian to football’s silver symbol the three times it has visited Tyrone.

He claims the demand for his services is greater now that in 2003 and 2005 combined and his days are down to a fine art: Cuthbert polishes Sam every morning before hitting the byeways and highways while wife Mary organises the scheduling diary back at base camp.

Despite hundreds of trips, some journeys carry added significance for the former county chairman.

“A lady rang me and asked if I could bring the cups (Donnelly also has the All-Ireland MFC trophy, the Tommy Markham in his possession) to her husband the next day. She explained that he was suffering from cancer and had a short time to live and was being brought home for his final few weeks.

“So I made a gap in the schedule and went to meet them the next day. We shared a cup of tea, and a beautiful apple turnover. We had great chat and craic and took a host of photographs with the cups and with my special car – Sam’s Car (A Red Mitsubishi Colt is supplied to Cuthbert by The Donnelly Brothers Group. It boasts the registration plates: CD O8 Sam).

“It was such a lovely day. I got a call the following morning to say that he had passed away. It was so devastating. I went to the funeral and the priest mentioned the visit and said that those last few hours were so special for him and for his family. Those were the last photographs taken of him and you can imagine how special they are to his family now.”

Donnelly’s travels aren’t just trips in a geographic sense, he has a front row seat on the circle of life

“I go everywhere with the cups, from christenings, schools, birthdays, weddings and funerals. One day summed it all up for me. In the morning I spent some time with a mother and her new born twins, that evening I visited a gentleman in Roscommon who was 102. I’ve been to every function imaginable – well, except a divorce.”

Wife Mary is a key cog. “She accepts what I’m doing and I couldn’t manage this without her. I get approximately 30 to 40 calls a day enquiring about the availability of the trophies and between us we try and make sure no one is let down.”

Funerals and wakes may seem morose occasions but Donnelly has a different slant.

“People consider it a fitting send off for great gaels. I remember one wake in particular for one of Tyrone’s most famous supporters, Brendan McCann. Brendan lived in Monaghan, but always wore a Tyrone scarf. He was the most passionate fan you could every meet. The two cups spent the night of his wake at the bottom of the coffin. And people all remarked how proud Brendan would have been if he had been still alive.”

Though Donnelly has been all over the country in the three years Tyrone have won the All-Ireland SFC title, one of his fondest memories came closer to home.

“A trip was organised out to Clare Island off the coast of Mayo. There are 159 residents there and all were waiting for us when the boat docked. Then we had a parade up to the community centre where we had a lovely meeting. I gave a wee talk on this history of the cup. It touched those people so much. I received so many letters in the aftermath of that one visit.”

And will he be continuing his role after September?

“My toughest job will be handing over the trophies to Croke Park. I’m hoping it will only be a trial separation.”