It took the Galway senior hurlers nearly three decades to win it back, and the Liam McCarthy Cup has been on the go ‘non-stop’ ever since.
From Boston to Beagh, Chicago to Clarinbridge, New York to New Inn, the coveted silverware has clocked-up savage mileage on its three-month lap-of-honour since returning to the West.
Liam has visited some 45 GAA Clubs in the city and county, and more than 125 secondary and primary schools across Galway so far. It has also been ‘guest of honour’ at hundreds of other events and venues, including nursing homes, at home and abroad.
And it has a fairly busy schedule for the remainder of January and February, as a success-starved hurling-mad county gorges on the victorious All-Ireland senior hurling campaign, which culminated in David Burke lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup for the first time since 1987 after Galway beat Waterford in the final at Croke Park on September 3.
That’s according to ‘diary man’ Michael Larkin, chairman of the hurling committee who is responsible for the cup’s bookings.
“It’s been all over the place. We’re trying to get it to as many as possible. It’s bringing super, super joy to people. Why wouldn’t it, after 29 years of waiting?” asked Mr Larkin.
He said he is aware of a ‘replica’ cup doing the rounds, but insisted that the cup he has sent to schools and clubs is the ‘real deal’.
A week in the life of Liam McCarthy is quite hectic, according to the Craughwell man.
“It was in Skehana on Sunday. It’s heading to Athlone IT in the next hour today (Monday). Then it’s heading to Dublin for the night and has to be back down the following morning. It’s in NUIG on Wednesday and on Thursday it’s going to San Francisco for a fundraiser. It’s full-time going places.
“It has already been to Boston, New York and Chicago, and it has been to London as well for an event organised by the Galway Association in London. It’s been very busy – every day it is on the road,” he said.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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