Pubs and even schools have paid “substantial” amounts of money in return for the appearance of a sham Sam Maguire, Armagh GAA has revealed.
The county organisation issued the warning to be 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 defeated Galway 1-11 to 0-13 in the All-Ireland Final in late July. Over August and early September, the real Sam Maguire has been brought to various venues.
However, Armagh GAA said it has 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,” the county said.
“Armagh GAA have clearly established guidelines and methods for requesting the use/appearance of the Sam Maguire and will never charge for this.”
The real Sam Maguire has been brought to various schools and other venues over the past more than a month, by players, coaching staff, including manager Kieran McGeeney, and county officials.
Other than with known figures linked to Armagh GAA and within the county, the cup was also reported to be at venues in Co Down and Co Louth in recent weeks.
GAA headquarters and the county board are investigating who is behind the production and circulation of the fake cup and around the county and possibly elsewhere. The GAA was contacted for comment.
It is not the first time a fake Sam was produced and used to make money.. The GAA destroyed one counterfeit cup five years ago.
In a 2019 video that included the destruction of a fake Sam, GAA Director General Tom Ryan said the original cup was presented in 1928 but was retired a number of years ago and is on permanent display at the Croke Park Museum.
“The trophy that everybody is familiar with and that gets presented to the All-Ireland champions.....that’s the official trophy that’s in circulation,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan added that it came to the attention of the GAA that there were “counterfeit” versions of Sam in circulation and that people were using them for their own commercial reasons. The GAA destroyed the previous one in circulation.
“It is an iconic trophy and part of the reason it is so valued is because of the mystic around it. and if it were the case that it was easy to come by or easy lay your hands on then that would be a pity and that would dilute some of the mystique.
“Also we would not want people to be using the GAA brand or to be using Sam Maguire for commercial purposes.”
At the time, Mr Ryan added that there may be other fake Sam Maguires in circulation but he hoped that was not the case.
“Sam Maguire is an iconic image and an iconic name in the GAA and it is very important we safeguard that,” he said.
