Revered history of iconic trophy

THE 1928 Sam Maguire Cup is a faithful copy of the Ardagh Chalice.

The bowl was not spun on a spinning lathe but handbeaten from a single flat piece of silver.

Even though it is highly polished, hammer marks are still visible today, indicating the manufacturing process.

The trophy is named after Sam Maguire, an influential figure in London GAA and a former footballer.

At the time it cost £300. In today’s terms that sum is equivalent to €25,392.