Armagh GAA issue warning about fake Sam Maguire Cup

They warned that a counterfeit trophy is being toured around the county "in exchange for substantial amounts of money.” 

THE REAL DEAL: Armagh captain Aidan Forker lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after his side's victory in the All-Ireland SFC final against Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Armagh GAA have said they are aware of a spurious Sam Maguire Cup appearing at events in the county.

The board have warned clubs about paid bookings being taken for photograph opportunities with a fake trophy.

They have acknowledged that “a counterfeit Sam Maguire trophy is being taken around a number of pubs, event venues and schools in exchange for substantial amounts of money.” 

Their statement continued: “Armagh GAA have clearly established guidelines and methods for requesting the use/appearance of the Sam Maguire and will never charge for this.” 

There are two officially active Sam Maguire Cups – the trophy won by Armagh against Galway in July and a replica created in 2010 that is used for events sanctioned by the GAA and rarely leaves Croke Park.

In 2016, some supporters attending the Division 1 semi-finals were tricked into paying for a photo opportunity with what they believed was the genuine Sam Maguire Cup.

Two years later, an individual was filmed spitting into the Sam Maguire Cup in New York where it had travelled with then All-Ireland champions Dublin on a fundraising trip.

In 2019, the GAA released a video in which they crushed a counterfeit Sam Maguire Cup. 

“It came to our attention in recent months that they were counterfeit versions of the Sam in circulation and people were using them for their own commercial purposes,” said GAA director general Tom Ryan. 

“What we’re doing today is we’re destroying that trophy.

“It’s an iconic trophy and part of why it’s valued is because there is a mystique around it, and if it were the case that it would be easier to come by or easy to lay your hands on that would be a pity and dilute some of the mystique attached to a thing.

“Also, of course you don’t want people to be using the GAA brand or the GAA name or the name Sam Maguire for commercial purposes. I think that’s not fitting either.” 

Ryan said there was a possibility other similar fake cups could be in circulation and the GAA would do their best to track them down with the intention of destroying them. 

“If they come across it, just let us know. It’s important that we safeguard the real Sam Maguire (Cup).” 

The original Sam Maguire Cup, which was first presented in 1928 when Kildare were victors, was retired in 1987 after Meath’s win over Cork and replaced with a new version, which the Royals beat Cork again the following year. The inaugural piece of silverware lies in the GAA museum in Croke Park.