Pictured: The fake Sam Maguire now at centre of garda fraud investigation

This is the fake Sam Maguire brought to various pubs, shops and reportedly schools, now at the centre of a fraud investigation by gardai.

Both the GAA and experienced Sam followers have noted clear differences between the real one first presented in 1988 and the imposter.

It is far too shiny overall and the lettering along the top much too pronounced and sharp for a trophy that has passed through thousands of hands over the last near four decades.

One Croke Park official agreed, saying “any keen GAA watcher” would quickly realise it is not the genuine Sam Maguire currently doing the rounds of Armagh following its July All-Ireland triumph.

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“There’s a passing resemblance yes but on close examination it’s very, very easy to tell that this trophy is not the real deal,” said Alan Milton, the organisation’s communications director.

This has not stopped some posing proudly with the Sham Sam and posting images on social media, with the focus on Co Louth. Some posts have since been removed.

It is understood to be one of a handful of Sam knock-offs in circulation and which have surfaced in previous years, notably in Dublin and Tyrone.

The Orchard County, in a statement earlier this week, warned: “Armagh GAA have been made aware of a counterfeit Sam Maguire trophy being taken around a number of pubs, event venues and schools in exchange for substantial amounts of money.

“Armagh GAA have clearly established guidelines and methods for requesting the use/appearance of the Sam Maguire and will NEVER charge for this.”

Gardai are investigating reports of the fake Sam Maguire appearing at venues and shops in the Carlingford area of Co Louth.

The organisation confirmed the investigation was launched “following reports of alleged fraudulent activity in the Carlingford area”.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information is available,” a Garda spokesperson said.

The probe follows a warning by Armagh GAA the counterfeit Sam was being hired out for “substantial amounts of money”, while it was also reported it was linked to fundraising for two children’s hospices.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “We have not received any reports of this nature however we would encourage anyone with information regarding potential crime contact police.”

At least two venues in the Carlingford area and one shop posted images of silverware believed to be the fake, or Sham Sam. Posts on social media have since been removed.

The fake Sam first surfaced within days of Armagh’s July All-Ireland victory over Galway.

St Francis Hospice in Dublin, reportedly named as the recipient of funds linked to the appearance of the fake trophy, told the BBC it “had no knowledge whatsoever that money was being raised for us in this regard”.

The hospice added it was “conducting an investigation into this serious matter”.

Three versions of the All-Ireland cup are in existence, one with the winning team’s county, the other in the GAA Museum and one that is kept at Croke Park for official, high profile or corporate visits.

The GAA’s Mr Milton said it is not the first a counterfeit Sam has appeared with others surfacing in Tyrone and Dublin.

“A fake Sam Maguire Cup emerged after one of Dublin’s All-Ireland Final wins a number of years ago and it had to be taken out of circulation and destroyed and there was a similar situation in Tyrone as one occasion,” Mr Milton told BBC.

“It doesn’t happen every year. It’s happened on a couple of occasions in the 15 years that I’ve been working in my role.”